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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 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
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A380
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony A350, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the A350 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and A350 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was introduced 5 years later than the A350 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 grades versus the A350 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony A350

 E-M1 A350 
IntroducedOctober 2013June 2008More recent by 66 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Olympus E-M1

 A350 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony A350

 E-M1 A350 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony A350 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony A350 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the A350.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and A350 is 71 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and A350.

As you can see, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus E-M1 will result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer E-M1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Sony A350 Portrait photography factors
71
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
Sony A350 Street photography details
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than average (497 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
66
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
more heavy than competition (674g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A350 Sports photography highlights
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (350 shots)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography advice
Sony A350 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than average (497 grams)
environment proof
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
not so great battery life (350 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (674g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A350 Landscape photography highlights
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
64
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Sony A350 Vlogging factors
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than average (497g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony A350
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-10-28 2008-06-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497g (1.10 lb) 674g (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 11.5
DXO Low light rating 757 595
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One One
Launch price $799 $600