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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released October 2021
  • Older Model is Sony A7 III
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Overview

Below, we are matching up the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and A7 IV (33MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and A7 IV (Full frame) possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 9 years prior to the A7 IV and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 scores against the A7 IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony A7 IV

 E-M1 A7 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Olympus E-M1

 A7 IV E-M1 
ReleasedOctober 2021October 2013Fresher by 97 months
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1440k1037kClearer display (+403k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony A7 IV

 E-M1 A7 IV 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 has got outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 IV has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony A7 IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 compared to the A7 IV.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and A7 IV is 71 and 61 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The photograph underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and A7 IV.

To sum up, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A7 IV will provide you with extra detail having an extra 17MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The older E-M1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7 IV Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
81
you can focus manually
MP count amazing (33MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Sony A7 IV Street photography advice
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus by touch
weather proofing
lighter than others (497 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
79
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1
Sports photography with Sony A7 IV
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
bad battery power (350 shots)
84
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (33 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (600 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography factors
Sony A7 IV Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others (497g)
weather proofing
includes focus by touch
MP count decent (16MP)
bad battery power (350 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
80
better than average battery (600 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
MP count amazing (33MP)
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 IV Landscape photography factors
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery power (350 shots)
84
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (33 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery (600 CIPA)
has double storage slots
no liveview
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Sony A7 IV Vlogging info
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone port
lighter than others (497 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
80
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony A7 IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Alpha A7 IV
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-10-28 2021-10-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 33 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7008 x 4672
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 172
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 3,690 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lb) 699 grams (1.54 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 600 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots One Two
Launch price $799 $2,500