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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1

Portability
68 Imaging
59 Features
93 Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and a1 (50MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was launched 5 years prior to the a1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 II grades versus the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 E-M1 II a1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

		

		

			
 a1 E-M1 II 
RevealedJanuary 2021September 2016More modern by 53 months
Screen resolution1440k1037kCrisper screen (+403k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony a1

		

		

			
 E-M1 II a1 
Manually focus  More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II offers external dimensions 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 a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II vs the a1.
Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and a1 is 68 and 61 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The picture below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and a1.
Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Sony a1 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 30MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 II will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography factors
Sony a1 Portrait photography factors
75
 manual focus
 good MP (20MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides face detection focusing
 saves RAW files
88
 has manual focus
 great flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
 amazing MP (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 comes with face detect focusing
 exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Sony a1
78
 fully articulated screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 boasts touch to focus
 weather proofing
 lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
79
 screen tilts
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW formats
 features focus via touch
 weather sealing
 very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Sony a1
74
 high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 quiet mode (1/32,000s)
 max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good MP (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides tracking autofocus
 weather proofing
 sensor has phase detect AF
 terrible battery (350 per charge)
90
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
 quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
 high frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 amazing MP (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 comes with tracking focus
 weather sealing
 good battery power (530 shots)
 supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
72
 lighter than competition in class (574g)
 weather proofing
 boasts touch to focus
 good MP (20 megapixels)
 display is selfie friendly
 terrible battery (350 CIPA)
73
 good battery power (530 CIPA)
 weather sealing
 connects via bluetooth
 features focus via touch
 amazing MP (50 megapixels)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
76
 manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 good sized screen (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good MP (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 no low pass filter
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 saves RAW files
 weather proofing
 two card slots
 terrible battery (350 shots)
88
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 amazing MP (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 very good ISO range (32,000)
 exports RAW formats
 weather sealing
 good battery power (530 shots)
 has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
 Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
79
 display is selfie friendly
 built-in touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detection focusing
 high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 includes external microphone socket
 lighter than competition in class (574g)
36
 has touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect focusing
 video res high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
 comes with mic port
 doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony a1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-09-19 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 25600 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures    
Lowest boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
Live view AF    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points 121 759
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 133
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video format MOV, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 530 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 2 2
Price at launch $1,700 $6,498