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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Released October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and S1 (24MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and S1 (Full frame) offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 6 years earlier than the S1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 scores against the S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic S1

 E-M1 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-M1

 S1 E-M1 
LaunchedFebruary 2019October 2013Fresher by 64 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1037kClearer screen (+1063k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S1

 E-M1 S1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 provides physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic S1 has specifications of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") and a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 vs the S1.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and S1 is 71 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and S1.

Plainly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic S1 will resolve more detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older E-M1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
71
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography features
Panasonic S1 Street photography features
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
weather sealing
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
70
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S1 Sports photography factors
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery power (350 per charge)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
terrible battery (380 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
weather sealing
provides focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
low battery power (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
59
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
MP count decent (24MP)
terrible battery (380 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery power (350 CIPA)
81
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (380 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Panasonic S1 Vlogging info
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than others in class (497g)
screen is not selfie friendly
32
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,021g)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-10-28 2019-02-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Number of lenses 107 30
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 pounds) 1021g (2.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 95
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 25.2
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 14.5
DXO Low light score 757 3333
Other
Battery life 350 photos 380 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 2
Launch pricing $799 $2,498