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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Revealed February 2013
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony RX1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the RX1 (24MP) is very comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and RX1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 II was released 3 years later than the RX1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera 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 RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-M1 II scores versus the RX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony RX1

 E-M1 II RX1 
RevealedSeptember 2016February 2013More recent by 44 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 RX1 E-M1 II 
Display resolution1229k1037kClearer display (+192k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony RX1

 E-M1 II RX1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II features outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony RX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II versus the RX1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and RX1 is 68 and 79 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out specs. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and RX1.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony RX1 will produce more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Sony RX1
75
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
81
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
66
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Sony RX1 Sports photography highlights
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (350 per charge)
53
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Sony RX1 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
environment proof
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (350 shots)
62
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
heavier than competition in class (482g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography factors
Sony RX1 Landscape photography factors
76
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
64
manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
Sony RX1 Vlogging features
79
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic port
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
34
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (482 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony RX1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-09-19 2013-02-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 482g (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 93
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 14.3
DXO Low light rating 1312 2534
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 270 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 1
Price at release $1,700 $2,798