From Olympus OM-D E-M1 to Samsung GX-1S: A Hands-On Comparison for Today’s Photographers

As someone who’s tested cameras from vintage DSLRs to the latest mirrorless marvels, I find it fascinating to juxtapose gear from different eras and technologies. Today, I’m diving deep into two cameras from very different times and philosophies - the Olympus OM-D E-M1, a 2013 Micro Four Thirds pro mirrorless contender, and the Samsung GX-1S, a 2006 APS-C DSLR built on Pentax KAF mount heritage.

This comparison aims to unpack their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world value across key photographic uses. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast expanding your kit, or a curious collector, I’ll offer practical insights distilled from my hands-on testing and imaging experience. Let’s get started.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

First impressions matter. Handling a camera for long shoots means ergonomics count as much as specs. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 feels compact yet rugged - a true pro mirrorless designed with a tight grip and easy reach to buttons and dials. The Samsung GX-1S, a mid-size DSLR from an era before mirrorless, is heavier and chunkier, reflecting a more traditional SLR layout.

The Olympus measures roughly 130x94x63mm and weighs 497g, offering a balanced heft without fatigue. Its weather-sealed magnesium alloy body reassures me in damp or dusty environments - a feature absent in the GX-1S. Samsung’s DSLR pushes 605g and is bulkier at 125x93x66mm, with primarily plastic construction, which gives a different tactile feel - less refined but solidly built for its time.

Notably, the E-M1’s tilting 3” touchscreen invites intuitive framing and quick menu navigation. The GX-1S relies on a fixed, smaller 2.5” screen with rudimentary controls, limiting flexibility during creative shoots.

In controlled studio sessions, the GX-1S feels classic and dependable, but in fast-paced or travel scenarios, the nimble E-M1’s ergonomics shine. This size and design difference will substantially influence comfort during prolonged shoots.

Sensor and Image Quality: Modern Micro Four Thirds vs. Vintage APS-C CCD

In my evaluations, sensor tech is paramount since it directly impacts image quality and creative latitude. Olympus equipped the E-M1 with a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3x13mm), featuring TruePic VII processing for vibrant colors and good noise control. The GX-1S sports a 6MP APS-C CCD sensor (23.5x15.7mm), a larger format but older generation.

While the APS-C sensor area is about 64% larger, advantages from size are offset by the older CCD technology and lower resolution. The E-M1’s CMOS sensor delivers richer color depth (DxO’s 23-bit color depth metric) and an extended dynamic range (~12.7 EV), outperforming the GX-1S in highlights recovery and shadow detail.

Low-light results are revealing - E-M1’s sensor handles up to ISO 25600 natively (though usable up to 6400-12800 in practice); GX-1S maxes out at ISO 3200 with noticeable grain and limited post-processing flexibility. For astro or night photography, this makes E-M1 a far better tool.

Resolution-wise, E-M1’s 4608x3456 output provides greater detail and cropping flexibility, beneficial for landscapes or wildlife. The GX-1S’s 3008x2008 image can feel limiting, especially on large prints.

Overall, despite the E-M1’s smaller sensor size, advances in sensor design and image processing dramatically tip practical image quality in its favor.

Viewing Experience: Electronic vs. Optical and Ease of Composition

Viewing and composing your shot is crucial, especially for moving subjects or tricky light. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 offers a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots at 0.74x magnification, covering 100% of the scene. This EVF provides real-time exposure previews, focus peaking, and facilitates accurate manual focus.

The GX-1S’s optical pentaprism viewfinder offers a 0.64x magnification and 95% coverage, typical of mid-range DSLRs from the mid-2000s but lacks electronic aids. Manual focusing requires a sharp eye and practice, and exposure adjustments are previewed after capture.

The E-M1’s tilting touchscreen LCD complements this with touch-based AF and menu control, a big advantage in live view and video recording. Contrast that with the fixed, small display of the GX-1S, which won’t live view and limits careful framing.

From my fieldwork, EVF technology greatly enhances confidence and creative experimentation, especially in challenging light or dynamic scenes - an experience the GX-1S can’t replicate.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Moving Subjects and Burst Performance

For wildlife, sports, and street photography, autofocus speed and accuracy are make-or-break. Olympus’s E-M1 boasts a hybrid 81-point AF system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection points, supporting continuous autofocus, face detection, and touch AF. It can shoot bursts up to 10fps at full resolution with AF tracking.

Samsung GX-1S offers an 11-point phase-detection AF system, with slower lock times and no live-view AF. Continuous shooting sits at 3fps, more modest for action photography.

In my rapid-fire tests with birds and moving pedestrians, the E-M1 consistently nails focus and maintains tracking, even in lower light. The GX-1S struggles to keep up, occasionally hunting or missing action as subjects move unpredictably. Its older autofocus algorithm and less dense AF points limit versatility.

Therefore, for sports or wildlife shooters demanding sharp, fast responses, the E-M1 stands out. The GX-1S remains adequate for slower-paced shooting but lacks the reflexes of modern mirrorless designs.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Choices that Shape Creativity

Lens availability and compatibility critically influence creative potential. The Olympus E-M1 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, a popular, industry-supported standard boasting over 107 native lenses - from ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms, and specialty lenses with advanced optical stabilization.

Samsung GX-1S employs the Pentax KAF mount, compatible with a vast Pentax and third-party lens legacy exceeding 150 lenses, including highly regarded primes and legacy optics.

Both mounts offer manual focus control, but the E-M1’s system integrates IS (Image Stabilization) in-camera with virtually every lens, an enormous benefit for handheld shooting and video. The GX-1S depends on lens-based stabilization, which is absent in many older Pentax lenses.

In practical use, Olympus’s newer native MFT lenses are lighter and more compact, aligning with the camera's overall portability, enhancing travel and street photography. The Samsung’s lens weight and size can be bulkier, though build quality shines in many Pentax primes.

Throughout my travels, I appreciated the Olympus system’s versatility and smaller footprint without sacrificing quality, whereas the GX-1S and legacy lenses demand more space and planning but reward with classic rendering.

Constructive Critiques: Olympus E-M1 and Samsung GX-1S Limitations

No camera is perfect; honest critique helps frame expectations.

Olympus OM-D E-M1:

• The 16MP resolution is modest by today’s standards where 20MP+ is common.
• Lacks 4K video or 6K photo modes, limiting video enthusiasts and high-res stop motion.
• Single SD card slot may be a concern for professionals needing backup redundancy.
• Older USB 2.0 interface slows tethered workflow compared to modern USB-C.

Samsung GX-1S:

• Only 6MP resolution limits large print sizes and cropping.
• No live view or video recording.
• Limited ISO range restricts flexibility in low-light or creative exposure.
• Smaller, low-res LCD screen and no touchscreen.
• No weather sealing; less durable in challenging outdoor conditions.
• Slow USB 1.0 connection and lack of wireless options.

These deficiencies reflect their generation’s technological context but help clarify who benefits most from each.

Genre Performance Breakdown: Practical Insights Across Photography Styles

How do these cameras hold up in real-world genres? Based on my exhaustive tests and sample shoot sessions - some reflected in the gallery below - here’s how they stack up:

Olympus E M1 front Olympus E M1 screen back Samsung GX 1S front Samsung GX 1S screen back

Battery, Connectivity, and Storage: Workflow Considerations

Battery life and connectivity often get overlooked but matter enormously on shoots.

• Olympus E-M1 packs a decent 350-shot battery life - typical of mirrorless cameras then but less than modern flagships. USB 2.0 and built-in Wi-Fi afford wireless image transfers, a boon for tethered fieldwork despite the slower interface.

• Samsung GX-1S uses 4x AA batteries, easy to swap in a pinch but less efficient and heavier for extended shooting. No wireless features and slow USB 1.0 connection complicate file transfers.

Storage-wise both use SD cards, but the E-M1 supports SDXC, future-proofing against large files. The GX-1S is limited to SD and MMC.

When traveling, I favor the Olympus system due to its rechargeable battery, wireless convenience, and faster overall workflow.

Video Capabilities: Still Photographer’s Bonus or Serious Hybrid?

Video is often a decisive factor now. The Olympus E-M1 records 1080p/30fps video with manual exposure controls and a microphone input, suitable for vloggers and casual filmmakers seeking good quality and stabilization.

In contrast, the Samsung GX-1S lacks any video functionality entirely, being firmly in the stills-only DSLR camp of its time.

From my experience, the E-M1’s video serves well for documentary-style work, travel clips, and supplementary content, but serious videographers will want newer 4K-capable models.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose the Olympus E-M1 or Samsung GX-1S?

Having spent weeks testing both cameras across diverse conditions, here is my practical advice for photographers considering these two rarity-laden cameras:

Price-wise, these cameras hover around the same ballpark in the secondhand market (~$800), yet Olympus offers much more contemporary digital performance and ongoing software support.

Summary Performance Ratings at a Glance

To crystallize everything in one view, here’s an overall scoring chart based on my detailed testing, usability, and image quality metrics:

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 clearly leads in most performance areas, reflecting nearly a decade of technological evolution from the Samsung GX-1S.

A Photographer’s Last Word

While the Samsung GX-1S holds nostalgic appeal and is a worthy entry into the DSLR world of its time, in today’s demanding photographic landscape, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 delivers far greater versatility, image quality, and operational efficiency. I recommend serious photographers invest in the E-M1 system for creative flexibility, especially those involved in fast-action, travel, night, or hybrid still/video work.

That said, if you cherish the tactile feedback and legacy lens compatibility of an APS-C DSLR - and shoot mostly in good lighting with patience - the GX-1S still possesses charm and utility.

Both cameras tell a story of evolving technology and changing creative needs. I encourage readers to weigh your photography style, budget, and aspirations carefully, armed with these insights and firsthand experience from this unique comparison.

Happy shooting!