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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97 Imaging
40 Features
26 Overall
34

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Announced October 2013
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic XS1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 was released 10 months after the XS1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M1 scores vs the XS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic XS1

		

		

			
 E-M1 XS1 
IntroducedOctober 2013January 2013More modern by 10 months
Manual focus  More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 XS1 E-M1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic XS1

		

		

			
 E-M1 XS1 
Selfie screen  Absent selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 offers outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") along with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic XS1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 against the XS1.
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and XS1 is 71 and 97 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and XS1.
Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-M1 includes the bigger sensor which should make getting bokeh simpler. The more modern E-M1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography information
71
 manual focus
 great flash sync speed (1/320s)
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 supports face detect focus
 delivers RAW files
30
 decent MP (16MP)
 focusing manually not possible
 manual exposure not available
 external flash not possible
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography information
Panasonic XS1 Street photography information
78
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 offers focus via touch
 weather sealing
 lighter than average (497 grams)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
64
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (103 grams)
 screen is fixed
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography features
70
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 supports tracking focus
 weather sealing
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
 not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
41
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 includes tracking focus
 max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography highlights
65
 lighter than average (497 grams)
 weather sealing
 offers focus via touch
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 not so great battery life (350 shots)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
69
 lighter than competition (103g)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 really wide (24mm)
 no Timelapse function
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
 Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
73
 manual focus
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 weather sealing
 not so great battery life (350 shots)
39
 really wide (24mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16MP)
 focusing manually not possible
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 tiny screen (2.7 inches)
 manual exposure not available
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
 no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Olympus E-M1
Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
36
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 supports face detect focus
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 includes mic socket
 lighter than average (497g)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
31
 really wide (24mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (103g)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
 no microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-10-28 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points 81 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.40 m
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, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lbs) 103 gr (0.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $799 $130