Clicky

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Announced October 2013
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-M1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and E-M1 (16MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and E-M1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The Z50 was brought out 6 years later than the E-M1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Z50 grades versus the E-M1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Olympus E-M1

 Z50 E-M1 
AnnouncedOctober 2019October 2013Fresher by 73 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Nikon Z50

 E-M1 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-M1

 Z50 E-M1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 offers outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1 has specifications of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-M1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the Z50 compared to the E-M1.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and E-M1 is 74 and 71 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and E-M1.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z50 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z50 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger Z50 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
80
you can focus manually
MP count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
71
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography details
Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
73
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
78
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather proof
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography features
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
75
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery (350 CIPA)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than average (397g)
65
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
weather proof
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
bad battery (350 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
MP count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery (350 shots)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
71
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
lighter than average in class (497g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-M1
 Nikon Z50Olympus OM-D E-M1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z50 Olympus OM-D E-M1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-10-10 2013-10-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 TruePIC VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 209 81
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 15 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 497 gr (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 757
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 350 pictures
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 BLN-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $857 $799