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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 III vs Sony RX1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony RX1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the RX1 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and RX1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 7 years later than the RX1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the RX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 III RX1 
RevealedFebruary 2020February 2013Fresher by 85 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 RX1 E-M1 III 
Screen resolution1229k1037kCrisper screen (+192k dot)

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

 E-M1 III RX1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 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).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the RX1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and RX1 is 67 and 79 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and RX1.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1 will produce greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX1 Portrait photography highlights
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
82
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography details
Sony RX1 Street photography details
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
66
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography factors
Sony RX1 Sports photography factors
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
53
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Travel photography camera
79
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
62
good resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (270 CIPA)
more heavy than others (482 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Sony RX1 Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
65
you can focus manually
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging information
Sony RX1 Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic socket
34
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (482g)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony RX1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2020-02-11 2013-02-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 25
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash settings 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, 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)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 482 grams (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 93
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.3
DXO Low light score not tested 2534
Other
Battery life 420 photographs 270 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual One
Retail pricing $1,800 $2,798