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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax XG-1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and XG-1 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 8 months prior to the XG-1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-M1 scores against the XG-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax XG-1

          

          

            
 E-M1 XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus E-M1

          

          

            
 XG-1 E-M1 
LaunchedJuly 2014October 2013More modern by 8 months
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax XG-1

          

          

            
 E-M1 XG-1 
Manually focus  More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen  Neither provides selfie screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 provides 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) while the Pentax XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 against the XG-1.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and XG-1 is 71 and 66 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and XG-1.
Clearly, each of these cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-M1 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier. The more aged E-M1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

            Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
 Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
 focusing manually
 above average flash sync (1/320 seconds)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 offers face detect autofocus
 saves RAW formats
40
 manual focus
 good MP (16 megapixels)
 can't use external flash
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Street photography factors
77
 screen tilts up and down
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW formats
 provides touch to focus
 weather sealing
 lighter than average in class (497g)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
43
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 no articulating screen
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 heavier than competitors in class (567g)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
 Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
69
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 offers tracking focus
 weather sealing
 comes with phase detect autofocus
 not so great battery (350 CIPA)
45
 long zoom range (24-1248mm  52.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good MP (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 low battery power (240 CIPA)
 lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography info
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
65
 lighter than average in class (497 grams)
 weather sealing
 provides touch to focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 not so great battery (350 per charge)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
52
 good MP (16MP)
 built-in flash
 fairly wide (24mm)
 great reach (1248mm)
 no Time Lapse mode
 low battery power (240 shots)
 heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
 display is not selfie friendly
 slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
72
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 saves RAW formats
 weather sealing
 not so great battery (350 CIPA)
45
 manual focus
 fairly wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good MP (16MP)
 can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f2.8)
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 low battery power (240 per charge)
 no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
 Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
36
 has touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect autofocus
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does have microphone socket
 lighter than average in class (497 grams)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
25
 fairly wide (24mm)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 slow max aperture (f2.8)
 display is not selfie friendly
 no external mic port
 heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax XG-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax XG-1
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2014-07-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Total focus points 81 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in 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 Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash sync 1/320s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 567 grams (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 shots 240 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $799 $599