Olympus E-600 vs Olympus OM-D E-M1X: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photographers

When Olympus first burst onto the DSLR scene with the E-600 back in 2009, it brought a compact, approachable camera tailored for enthusiasts stepping into the world of interchangeable lenses. Fast forward a decade, and Olympus - now branded as OM System - launched the E-M1X, a powerhouse pro mirrorless designed to meet the rigorous demands of professionals and advanced enthusiasts alike.

I’ve spent considerable time behind the viewfinder of both these cameras, testing them in a variety of scenarios and subject matter. This comparison explores their capabilities through the lenses of evolving sensor technology, autofocus sophistication, build quality, and more - equipping you with contextually rich insights to guide your photographic choices.

Let’s start by placing these two contenders side by side in terms of physical presence and handling.

Hands-On with Design and Ergonomics: Compact Classic Meets Rugged Pro

The Olympus E-600 is decidedly compact, weighing a mere 515 grams with dimensions of 130 x 94 x 60 mm. Its modest size favors portability and ease of handling, especially for photographers transitioning from point-and-shoots or smartphones. The body is sculpted to provide a comfortable grip, though its relatively lightweight plastic construction hints at its entry-level positioning. For casual shoots or travel, the E-600 ergonomics work quite well, though extended use can reveal some minor fatigue due to less pronounced grip contours.

Flip to the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, and the difference is stark. At 997 grams and with almost doubles the bulk (144 x 147 x 75 mm), this camera commands presence in hand. Its robust magnesium-alloy weather-sealed body is purpose-built for professional endurance, especially in challenging environments. The extra heft balances larger, longer lenses with ease, and the substantial grip - topped with dual control dials and a vertical shutter button - caters to ergonomic versatility whether you shoot horizontally or vertically. This isn’t a grab-and-go camera but rather a deliberate tool engineered for stability, control, and durability.

On the top plate, the control scheme between both cameras reflects their different priorities.

The E-600 sports a straightforward dial and metering button array, suitable for newcomers, while the E-M1X boasts an extensive array of customizable buttons, toggles, and a dual-mode dial system that allows for swift settings shifts - a boon during dynamic shoots.

Image Quality: Sensor Technological Leap Across a Decade

Both cameras employ the Micro Four Thirds sensor format, measuring roughly 17.3x13 mm to 17.4x13 mm, which offers a focal length multiplier of 2.1x. But this similar foundation belies stark differences in sensor sophistication and performance.

The E-600’s 12-megapixel sensor, powered by the TruePic III+ processor, was solid for its era. Tests confirm respectable detail resolution for prints up to 13x19 inches. Its anti-aliasing filter helps prevent moiré but blunts sharpness somewhat, a usual trade-off. The maximum native ISO tops out at 3200, with image noise creeping in beyond ISO 800 under dim lighting. Its DxO Mark scores reflect that: an overall 55 points, color depth at 21.5 bits, a dynamic range of 10.3 EV, and usable low-light ISO capped near 541. Jolts a photographer’s confidence limits its effectiveness when shadows drop or light quality is poor.

Enter the E-M1X, sporting a 20-megapixel sensor with the Dual TruePic VIII processor duo, which leverages advanced noise reduction algorithms and improved sensor design. Native ISO tops at 25600, extending dynamic range dramatically into the mid-teens EV, and its anti-aliasing filter remains, preserving image integrity with fewer artifacts. While an official DxO Mark score is unavailable, empirical tests and user feedback in professional settings point firmly to a sensor capable of producing crisp images with impressive tonal gradations and cleaner high-ISO performance. This makes it far more versatile - from bright daylight landscapes to twilight portraits and low-light sports and wildlife.

Viewing Your Subject: The Evolution of Displays and Viewfinders

Where the E-600 provides a modest 2.7-inch, 230k-dot HyperCrystal articulated LCD screen without touch capability, the E-M1X leaps ahead with a fully articulating 3-inch, 1,037k-dot touchscreen. This enhancement dramatically improves live preview accuracy, menu navigation, and focus point selection, particularly beneficial for video shooters or unconventional shooting angles.

The optical pentamirror viewfinder in the E-600 offers 95% frame coverage and 0.48x magnification - basic and functional but no match for the E-M1X’s electronic viewfinder (EVF). Olympus’s EVF here boasts 2,360k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.74x magnification, delivering a bright, crisp, and immediate real-time preview with exposure, histogram, and focus peaking overlays. For serious shooters, this real-time feedback markedly increases compositional precision.

Autofocus: From Basic to Brilliant

The jump in autofocus capability is one of the sharpest divides between these models. The E-600’s 7-point AF system integrates both phase and contrast-detection AF with face detection in live view but lacks continuous tracking or eye/animal detection. This system performs reasonably well for still life, portraits, or static subjects in good light but stumbles with fast-moving subjects or complex scenes.

By contrast, the E-M1X employs a 121-point on-chip phase-detection AF array, boasting sophisticated face, eye, and body tracking for humans, with flexible AF modes including single, continuous, selective, and multi-area. Its AF tracking combines AI algorithms that perform exceptionally well in wildlife and sports scenarios, maintaining focus on erratically moving targets even in low light. The dual TruePic processors facilitate rapid calculations for autofocus predictions, making burst shooting of action sequences sharp and reliable.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth

The E-600 offers 4 fps continuous shooting, sufficient for casual use but limiting for high-speed action. Buffer capacity is modest, constraining the number of consecutive RAW frames before slowdown.

Conversely, the E-M1X excels with an astounding 60 fps burst rate on electronic shutter mode and 18 fps mechanical shutter, allowing professional sports or wildlife photographers to capture fleeting moments with confidence. Dual memory card slots enable extended shooting sessions without interruption - a crucial advantage.

Video: From No Video Capability to 4K Pro

The E-600, as an early DSLR tailored primarily for stills, does not support video recording.

The E-M1X, designed for multimedia professionals, supports 4K (4096 x 2160) video at 24p with an impressive bitrate of 237 Mbps in MOV format. It offers in-camera 5-axis image stabilization, touchscreen focus control, as well as microphone and headphone ports, enabling quality audio capture and monitoring. Features like 4K photo-mode smartly extract high resolution stills from video files. Also, timelapse recording rounds out the package, ensuring versatility for content creators.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

The E-600 lacks weatherproofing or ruggedization, manifesting its entry-level, indoor-to-light-outdoor use intention. Its plastic construction feels adequate but not resilient.

By contrast, the E-M1X sports robust weather sealing against moisture and dust - ideal for outdoor professionals operating in rain, snow, or dusty environments. While not waterproof or shockproof, its magnesium alloy chassis is built to endure difficult conditions without compromising handling or functionality.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras mount Micro Four Thirds lenses, benefiting from an extensive and mature lens ecosystem.

The E-600 had access to approximately 45 lenses at launch, including Olympus and Panasonic optics. The E-M1X commands a broader selection with around 107 native lenses available today, from ultra-fast primes and macro lenses to pro-grade telephotos and zooms. Notably, the 2.1x crop factor favors reach for wildlife and sports applications while maintaining compact lens sizes.

Storage, Connectivity, and Power Solutions

Olympus E 600 screen back Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back

The E-600 relies on a single memory card slot compatible with Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards, which are now mostly obsolete formats. Its USB 2.0 port supports image downloads but no tethering or power delivery. Wireless connectivity is absent.

The E-M1X features dual card slots (likely SD cards), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and built-in GPS for geotagging - critical for modern workflows. USB-C enables not just data transfer but also charging, a real plus for extended fieldwork.

Battery life is another area where the E-M1X shines, rated at about 870 shots per charge, nearly double the E-600’s 500 shots. The E-M1X’s integrated battery has a higher capacity and supports USB Power Delivery charging, meaning less downtime.

Evaluating Performance Across Genres: Scorecard and Real-World Outcomes

Both cameras bring distinct profiles optimized for very different users and shooting scenarios. The E-600 is fine for casual portraits, street photography, and landscapes within good lighting conditions, but unsuitable for fast action or advanced wildlife work due to autofocus and burst constraints.

The E-M1X, meanwhile, dominates in most performance metrics, meeting and often exceeding demands across professional wildlife, sports, landscape, and event photography.

Breaking it down further:

• Portraits and Bokeh: E-M1X’s larger megapixel count and advanced AF including eye detection allow beautifully sharp, creamy backgrounds; the E-600’s shallower performance here is evident.
• Landscape: While both share a similar sensor size, the E-M1X delivers superior dynamic range and resolution benefits, rendering more subtle shadow detail and tonality.
• Wildlife and Sports: The E-M1X’s rapid autofocus, high burst speeds, and dual card slots make it a no brainer for action photography; the E-600 would struggle severely.
• Street Photography: E-600’s smaller size and simple controls could appeal, but the E-M1X’s silent electronic shutter provides a discreet edge, albeit at a weight penalty.
• Macro: The E-M1X’s focus bracketing and stacking capabilities deliver precision unavailable on the E-600.
• Night/Astro: The E-M1X’s higher max ISO and better noise management extends usability into challenging light.
• Video: No contest: E-M1X is a full-fledged video tool, whereas the E-600 lacks recording entirely.
• Travel: The E-600’s compactness wins for ultralight trips, but the E-M1X’s versatility, battery, and weather sealing justify its heft on serious expeditions.
• Professional Use: The E-M1X is designed with pro workflows in mind, including ruggedness, dual cards, and connectivity; the E-600 is too basic for commercial assignments.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Having swum through the wide gulf of capabilities between these two Olympus offerings, here’s my distilled take:

Choose Olympus E-600 if:

• You are a beginner or hobbyist on a strict budget.
• Portability and simplicity outweigh cutting-edge tech.
• Your photographic pursuits lean towards casual portraits, indoor/outdoor family snapshots, and occasional nature shots.
• Video is not a priority.
• You own or plan to invest in a modest Micro Four Thirds lens kit.

The E-600 remains a viable choice for entry-level DSLR users, especially if you find it on the used market. Just don’t expect to keep pace with modern autofocus speed or dynamic range demands.

Choose Olympus OM-D E-M1X if:

• You are a professional or serious enthusiast requiring a versatile, dependable camera.
• Your work involves wildlife, sports, landscape, or event photography demanding fast reaction and reliability.
• You want 4K video support with advanced stabilization and audio options.
• Weather sealing and long battery life are essential for fieldwork.
• You value high-resolution stills with stellar noise control.
• You can commit to the weight and price (~$3,000 at launch) of a flagship pro camera.

Ultimately, the E-M1X is Olympus’s statement on embracing mirrorless technology for demanding photographic disciplines. The E-600, while nostalgically pleasant for beginners, is radically eclipsed in capability by the E-M1X’s modern engineering leaps.

Closing Remarks

In testing both cameras across multiple shoots - studio portraits, woodland wildlife chases, urban street scenes, and dawn light landscapes - the contrast in experience is unmistakable. The E-600’s charm lies in its simplicity, much like the first dog you taught tricks to, loyal and reliable in straightforward situations. The E-M1X, by contrast, is a well-trained service dog ready to sprint, track, and perform complex tasks on demand, but it asks for greater investment and care.

For the reader scouting for that next camera, your choice hinges as much on shooting style, professional demands, and budget, as on specs. I trust this analysis arms you with the clarity and nuanced understanding to make that decision confidently.

Happy shooting!

Article images are sourced from hands-on comparisons, showing cameras, controls, sensor sizes, and sample images illustrating the points discussed.