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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Released September 2014
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony QX1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is relatively similar but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and QX1 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was announced 2 years later than the QX1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 II grades against the QX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony QX1

 E-M1 II QX1 
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2014Fresher by 25 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution1037k0kCrisper screen (+1037k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 QX1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony QX1

 E-M1 II QX1 
Manually focus More precise focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Sony QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony QX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 II vs the QX1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and QX1 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and QX1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 II includes the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field more challenging. The newer E-M1 II will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography info
Sony QX1 Portrait photography info
75
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
66
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
no manual mode
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography features
Sony QX1 Street photography features
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than competition (574 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography features
Sony QX1 Sports photography features
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (350 per charge)
56
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (440 per charge)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Sony QX1 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competition (574g)
weather sealing
includes touch focus
good MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery (350 shots)
71
better than average battery life (440 shots)
includes touch to focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (216 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Sony QX1 Landscape photography details
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
64
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (440 CIPA)
screen is small (")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX1 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic port
lighter than competition (574g)
32
has touchscreen
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (216g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony QX1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha QX1
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha QX1
Type Pro Mirrorless Lens-style
Revealed 2016-09-19 2014-09-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" -
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 216 gr (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 440 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $1,700 $500