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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL7
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-M1 versus Olympus E-PL6, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the E-PL6 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 was revealed 9 months prior to the E-PL6 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 scores versus the E-PL6 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus E-PL6

 E-M1 E-PL6 
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Olympus E-M1

 E-PL6 E-M1 
AnnouncedAugust 2014October 2013Newer by 9 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-PL6

 E-M1 E-PL6 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 features outside dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL6 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 versus Olympus E-PL6 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 versus the E-PL6.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and E-PL6 is 71 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and E-PL6.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you have to consider the age of the cameras into account. The more aged E-M1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Street photography camera
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography details
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
environment proofing
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
85
comes with touch focus
MP count good (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography features
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PL6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-PL6
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus PEN E-PL6
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus PEN E-PL6
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-10-28 2014-08-01
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 81 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lb) 325 grams (0.72 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 360 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $799 $300