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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus SP-620 UZ front
Portability
78
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus SP-620 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 435g - 110 x 74 x 74mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-610UZ
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SP-620 UZ, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SP-620 UZ (16MP) is fairly similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SP-620 UZ (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was revealed 22 months later than the SP-620 UZ making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-620 UZ being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M1 scores vs the SP-620 UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus SP-620 UZ

 E-M1 SP-620 UZ 
ReleasedOctober 2013January 2012Fresher by 22 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-620 UZ over the Olympus E-M1

 SP-620 UZ E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SP-620 UZ

 E-M1 SP-620 UZ 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-620 UZ has measurements of 110mm x 74mm x 74mm (4.3" x 2.9" x 2.9") along with a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SP-620 UZ in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 compared to the SP-620 UZ.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and SP-620 UZ is 71 and 78 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The visual here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and SP-620 UZ.

All in all, the 2 cameras have the same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The E-M1 features the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern E-M1 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SP-620 UZ Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Olympus SP-620 UZ
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
lighter than competition (497g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-620 UZ as a Sports photography camera
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
48
excellent zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Olympus SP-620 UZ Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition (497g)
weather proof
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
61
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Olympus SP-620 UZ
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Olympus SP-620 UZ Vlogging factors
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic port
lighter than competition (497g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SP-620 UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SP-620 UZ
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus SP-620 UZ
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus SP-620 UZ
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lbs) 435 gr (0.96 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 110 x 74 x 74mm (4.3" x 2.9" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $199