Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1
Portability
71 Imaging
51 Features
85 Overall
64
71 Imaging
51 Features
85 Overall
64
Portability
66 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
66 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
(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)
(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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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.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax XG-1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax XG-1
| E-M1 | XG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 1037k |  | 460k | Sharper screen (+577k dot) |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus E-M1
| XG-1 | E-M1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2014 |  | October 2013 | More 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 dimensions | 3" |  | 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
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
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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Olympus E-M1 Street photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Street photography factors
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)
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)
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Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
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)
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
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography info
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
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
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)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
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)
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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Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
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
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
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax 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 |