Olympus's second-generation professional MFT flagship with improved AF and 18fps burst.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II was announced in October 2016 as Olympus's professional MFT flagship, bringing 121-point on-chip phase-detection AF, 18fps continuous tracking, and 60fps electronic shutter burst to the E-M1 series. The 20.4MP MFT Live MOS sensor introduced on-chip PDAF for the first time in the E-M1 line, enabling fast, accurate continuous subject tracking. DCI 4K recording joined UHD 4K. The Dual IS 2 system combined lens IS and body IBIS for enhanced combined stabilisation on compatible PRO lenses.
The 20.4MP MFT Live MOS sensor incorporates 121 on-chip phase-detection points (all cross-type). Burst shooting runs at 18fps with continuous mechanical AF tracking and up to 60fps with electronic shutter at locked focus. 4K UHD records at up to 30fps; DCI 4K at 24fps. Dual IS 2 cooperates with compatible lens IS for combined stabilisation. Dust, splash, and freezeproof construction is built throughout. Battery life approximately 440 shots using the BLH-1, body weight approximately 574g with battery and card, dual SD UHS-II slots.
The 18fps C-AF burst was the E-M1 Mark II's defining professional capability at launch: no competing MFT body offered continuous-tracking burst at this rate. The 60fps electronic shutter provides a frame-rate buffer for action sequences where locking focus and shooting at maximum rate is viable. Dual IS 2 combined stabilisation extended handheld telephoto shooting capability with PRO lenses. The dual SD UHS-II card configuration addressed the single-slot limitation of the E-M1 original for professional backup workflows.
On the used market the E-M1 Mark II is affordable as a professional MFT body with the full PRO lens ecosystem. Condition checks: IBIS and Dual IS 2 operation, both SD slot contacts, shutter count via EXIF, BLH-1 battery health — specific to the E-M1 II, different from the BLH-1H in the E-M1 III — and weather sealing. The OM System OM-1 provides the updated professional MFT platform. Compatible with all Micro Four Thirds lenses; Dual IS 2 requires compatible Olympus/OM System or Panasonic lenses.