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OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1

Portability
80
Imaging
64
Features
88
Overall
73
OM System OM-5 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Announced October 2022
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 III
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the OM System OM-5 versus Sony a1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the OM System OM-5 (20MP) and a1 (50MP) and the OM System OM-5 (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The OM System OM-5 was brought out 22 months after the a1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the OM System OM-5 scores versus the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick OM System OM-5 over the Sony a1

 OM System OM-5 a1 
LaunchedOctober 2022January 2021More modern by 22 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the OM System OM-5

 a1 OM System OM-5 
Screen resolution1440k1040kCrisper screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the OM System OM-5 and Sony a1

 OM System OM-5 a1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3.00"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch screen Quickly navigate

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The OM System OM-5 comes with external dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the OM System OM-5 versus Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the OM System OM-5 vs the a1.

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the OM System OM-5 and a1 is 80 and 61 respectively.

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the OM System OM-5 and a1.

Plainly, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The OM System OM-5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will deliver extra detail having its extra 30MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer OM System OM-5 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

OM System OM-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
78
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
89
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400 seconds)
excellent resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with OM System OM-5
Street photography with Sony a1
84
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
weather proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
79
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

OM System OM-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (310 CIPA)
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

OM System OM-5 Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
78
weather proofing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery power (310 shots)
74
better than average battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
excellent resolution (50 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

OM System OM-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3.00")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
88
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with OM System OM-5
Vlogging with Sony a1
84
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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OM System OM-5 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for OM System OM-5 and Sony a1
 OM System OM-5Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type OM System OM-5 Sony Alpha a1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2022-10-26 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 25600 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 119 133
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.00" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 grams (0.91 pounds) 737 grams (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 530 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail cost $1,200 $6,498