Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic S1

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.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.