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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-6 front
Portability
85
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 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
  • Announced October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony NEX-6
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony NEX-6

 E-M1 NEX-6 
LaunchedOctober 2013March 2013More recent by 8 months
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-6 Portrait photography information
71
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
Sony NEX-6 Street photography details
78
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than competitors (497 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
78
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (345 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-6 Sports photography details
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
66
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-6 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors (497g)
environment proofing
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
75
lighter than competition in class (345g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-6 Landscape photography info
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-6 Vlogging details
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
lighter than competitors (497 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
32
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (345g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony NEX-6
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony 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