Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


85 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Key Specs
(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
- Announced October 2013
- Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Launched March 2013
- Updated by Sony A6000

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the NEX-6 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-6 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

The E-M1 was introduced 8 months later than the NEX-6 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 scores versus the NEX-6 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Sony Alpha NEX-6. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Sony NEX-6 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony NEX-6
E-M1 | NEX-6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | March 2013 | More recent by 8 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+116k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Olympus E-M1
NEX-6 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony NEX-6
E-M1 | NEX-6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 features external 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 NEX-6 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 versus the NEX-6.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and NEX-6 is 71 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specifications. The graphic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and NEX-6.
To sum up, both of those cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-M1 provides the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher. The more recent E-M1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-10-28 | 2013-03-25 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePIC VII | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45� |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/320s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 lbs) | 345 grams (0.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 73 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | 757 | 1018 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 360 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $799 | $365 |