Main trade-off
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
One card and USB supply that only reduces drain. Tracking Pro Capture excludes other manufacturers’ MFT lenses.
Head-to-head
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II vs OM-1 Mark II: OM-5 II saves 181g, OM-1 II adds still copies and a different power setup
The short answer
OM-5 II saves 181g, while OM-1 II adds still-card duplication and specified USB PD operation. Choose OM-5 II when a lighter stills kit and charged BLS-50 spares fit the day. Choose OM-1 II for configured still copies, supported pre-capture needs or a suitable PD-powered setup. Both offers exclude lenses. OM-1 II movies still use one card, and faster tracking modes depend on the lens. OM-5 II stops when its internal battery empties even with USB attached.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The larger body only protects the files its duplicate mode actually writes
When you are responsible for a family celebration, OM-1 II can make two configured copies of still photographs before you reach the laptop. OM-5 II’s single slot cannot. But a movie on OM-1 II still goes to one selected card, so paying for the second slot does not complete a video-backup plan. For stills, choose Dual Same 5 if you want shooting to stop when either card fills. Dual Same 6 continues on the remaining card and leaves only one copy. The upgrade solves a specific capture-stage problem. It does not remove the off-camera copy at the end of the day.
What this is based on
Official still and movie destination settings and card-full behavior. No all-file or every-mode protection claim.
Main trade-off
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
181g heavier before the lens and changes the battery family. Its second card does not duplicate movies.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Choose it for
- Most outings are ordinary stills and a 181g lighter body makes it easier to bring the camera with family gear.
- Your existing BLS-50 spares and supported lenses already fit the day’s work.
- Main trade-off
- One card and USB supply that only reduces drain. Tracking Pro Capture excludes other manufacturers’ MFT lenses.
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Choose it for
- Important still photographs need two configured card copies before you leave the event. Movies remain single-card.
- You need its supported USB PD and pre-capture setup and will budget compatible BLX-1 spares and lenses.
- Main trade-off
- 181g heavier before the lens and changes the battery family. Its second card does not duplicate movies.
About this comparison
OM-5 Mark II vs OM-1 Mark II for outdoor family days and important events. Compare the full carrying kit, power banks, pre-capture lenses and card-copy limits.
A current smaller OM owner can reasonably consider the larger body for action and event duties while retaining lenses. The substantial body-weight increase must buy a useful change in capture or supporting equipment.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Keep the same lens in a lighter daily bag
OM-5 II saves 181g.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Better fit
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Good
Make two internal still-photo copies
OM-1 II supports configured duplication.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Not suitable
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Better fit
Reuse BLS-50 spare batteries
OM-1 II changes to BLX-1.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Better fit
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Not suitable
Use the specified USB PD source for a planned rig
OM-5 II accepts lower-power supply only to reduce drain.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Caution
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The larger body only protects the files its duplicate mode actually writes
When you are responsible for a family celebration, OM-1 II can make two configured copies of still photographs before you reach the laptop. OM-5 II’s single slot cannot. But a movie on OM-1 II still goes to one selected card, so paying for the second slot does not complete a video-backup plan. For stills, choose Dual Same 5 if you want shooting to stop when either card fills. Dual Same 6 continues on the remaining card and leaves only one copy. The upgrade solves a specific capture-stage problem. It does not remove the off-camera copy at the end of the day.
How we reached this conclusion
Official still and movie destination settings and card-full behavior. No all-file or every-mode protection claim.
A power bank cannot rescue the same low-battery situation on both
OM-5 II uses a 5V1.5A supply to reduce drain but stops once its internal battery empties. OM-1 II accepts a suitable USB PD source with the specified output profiles, though it also needs an adequately charged battery to start that arrangement. A person setting up a long indoor recording should test the actual source and chosen mode before the event. The upgrade also changes BLS-50 batteries to BLX-1, so existing spares do not transfer. Count those batteries and the correct power supply alongside the body. Neither connection removes heat, card or closed-cover weather requirements.
How we reached this conclusion
Manufacturer power requirements and battery families. No absolute runtime, battery-free or wet-connected-use promise.
The body upgrade may still need a lens upgrade for the moving subject
OM-5 II’s refocusing Pro Capture runs at 10fps with a 14-frame maximum and excludes other manufacturers’ Micro Four Thirds lenses. OM-1 II offers up to 20fps in its ordinary refocusing mode, with up to 99 pre-shutter frames. Its faster 50fps tracking option also requires specific lenses. For a pet approaching the camera, neither body’s fixed-focus maximum burst is the right like-for-like comparison. Check the lens first, then decide whether the longer configured lead-in is useful enough to carry 181g more every day. A compatible mount alone does not establish support for the particular action mode you want.
How we reached this conclusion
14/10=1.4 seconds and 99/20=4.95 seconds at selected nominal rates and maximum buffers.599-418=181g. Lens and electronic-shutter limitations remain.
Choice A
OM SYSTEM, V210070BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Most outings are ordinary stills and a 181g lighter body makes it easier to bring the camera with family gear.
- Best matched use
- Most outings are ordinary stills and a 181g lighter body makes it easier to bring the camera with family gear.
Checked facts
- Body with battery/card: 418g
- Battery: BLS-50
- External power behavior: 5V1.5A reduces drain
- Card copies: One SD
Choice B
OM SYSTEM, V210040BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
Important still photographs need two configured card copies before you leave the event. Movies remain single-card.
- Best matched use
- Important still photographs need two configured card copies before you leave the event. Movies remain single-card.
Checked facts
- Body with battery/card: 599g
- Battery: BLX-1
- External power behavior: Specified USB PD support
- Card copies: Two SD, still duplication
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body | OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body with battery/card | 418g | 599g | The upgrade adds 181g before the same lens. |
| Battery | BLS-50 | BLX-1 | The old spare set does not transfer. |
| External power behavior | 5V1.5A reduces drain | Specified USB PD support | The same connector does not establish the same recording setup. |
| Card copies | One SD | Two SD, still duplication | The larger body’s movie destination remains one card. |
| Tracking pre-capture buffer | 14 frames at 10fps | Up to 99 frames at 20fps | Choose the mode and lens before comparing nominal time windows. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Bring charged BLS-50 batteries and verify the lens for tracking pre-capture. Body-only offer.
If you choose OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Include BLX-1 spares, two suitable cards and a specified 27W-or-greater PD source if needed.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Ordinary outings and the existing light kit lead
Choose OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body. OM-5 II avoids 181g and a new battery family.
Still copies or the specified powered setup lead
Choose OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body. OM-1 II supplies those changes with clear movie and lens limits.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want the camera light enough for an ordinary family walk, but also want more protection and fewer power interruptions on important days.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured autofocus, grip comfort or thermal-runtime comparison.
- An available mode does not guarantee a sharp action photograph.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current mirrorless cameras comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body |
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| OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Most outings are ordinary stills and a 181g lighter body makes it easier to bring the camera with family gear.
Your existing BLS-50 spares and supported lenses already fit the day’s work.
See price & reviews on AmazonOM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
Important still photographs need two configured card copies before you leave the event. Movies remain single-card.
You need its supported USB PD and pre-capture setup and will budget compatible BLX-1 spares and lenses.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.