Clicky

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced July 2007
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Leica M8 and Olympus E-M1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and E-M1 (16MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and E-M1 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor sizes.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The M8 was announced 7 years before the E-M1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the M8 grades vs the E-M1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Olympus E-M1

 M8 E-M1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Leica M8

 E-M1 M8 
IntroducedOctober 2013July 2007More modern by 76 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Olympus E-M1

 M8 E-M1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Leica M8 features exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1 has sizing of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Leica M8 and Olympus E-M1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the M8 against the E-M1.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and E-M1 is 79 and 71 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the M8 and E-M1.

All in all, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M8 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged M8 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography highlights
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-H)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
71
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320s)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M8
Street photography with Olympus E-M1
62
nice sensor size (APS-H)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competition (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Leica M8 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-H)
great battery life (550 CIPA)
does not have liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Leica M8 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography factors
51
great battery life (550 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
65
lighter than competition (497 grams)
environment sealing
features touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
not so great battery life (350 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
nice sensor size (APS-H)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (550 per charge)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have Timelapse function
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than competition (497 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Olympus E-M1
 Leica M8Olympus OM-D E-M1
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica M8 Olympus OM-D E-M1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2007-07-31 2013-10-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePIC VII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3936 x 2630 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 81
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1.3 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/320 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lb) 497 grams (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 59 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 12.7
DXO Low light rating 663 757
Other
Battery life 550 shots 350 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $4,400 $799