Clicky

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 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
  • Announced September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 III
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX200V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX400V
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony HX300, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and HX300 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 II was launched 3 years later than the HX300 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the HX300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony HX300

 E-M1 II HX300 
RevealedSeptember 2016February 2013Fresher by 44 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 HX300 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony HX300

 E-M1 II HX300 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has proportions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony HX300 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the HX300.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and HX300 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The graphic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and HX300.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 II provides the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field easier. The fresher E-M1 II is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography advice
Sony HX300 Portrait photography advice
75
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
42
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proof
lighter than competition (574 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (623g)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Sports photography camera
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (350 per charge)
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Sony HX300
72
lighter than competition (574g)
environment proof
includes touch focus
good MP (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery (350 per charge)
54
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (623 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Sony HX300 Landscape photography features
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
not so great battery (350 per charge)
48
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
Sony HX300 Vlogging features
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone support
lighter than competition (574 grams)
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic support
heavier than average in class (623g)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony HX300
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-09-19 2013-02-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
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 rate 60.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots -
Card slots Dual One
Retail cost $1,700 $339