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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • New Model is Olympus E-3
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Old Model is Sony A7R III
  • Replacement is Sony A7R V
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-1 versus Sony A7R IV, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and A7R IV (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-1 was launched 16 years prior to the A7R IV which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-1 matches up versus the A7R IV in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Sony A7R IV

 E-1 A7R IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Olympus E-1

 A7R IV E-1 
AnnouncedJuly 2019November 2003More modern by 190 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution1440k134kCrisper display (+1306k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Sony A7R IV

 E-1 A7R IV 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 features exterior dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony A7R IV has specifications of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-1 versus Sony A7R IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-1 versus the A7R IV.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and A7R IV is 59 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and A7R IV.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-1 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A7R IV will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 56 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-1
Portrait photography with Sony A7R IV
46
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
88
focusing manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (735g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Sports photography highlights
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
good battery (670 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
environment proof
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (5MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
74
good battery (670 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good battery (670 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R IV as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
37
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony A7R IV
 Olympus E-1Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-1 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Class Pro DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2003-11-29 2019-07-16
Physical type Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 61 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 9504 x 6336
Highest native ISO 3200 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 567
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 45 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 665 grams (1.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 3344
Other
Battery life - 670 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Dual
Launch pricing $1,700 $3,498