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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 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
  • Released October 2013
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was manufactured 8 years prior to the a1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-M1 grades against the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony a1

 E-M1 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Olympus E-M1

 a1 E-M1 
IntroducedJanuary 2021October 2013More modern by 88 months
Display resolution1440k1037kClearer display (+403k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony a1

 E-M1 a1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 provides 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 a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 against the a1.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and a1 is 71 and 61 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and a1.

As you can see, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony a1 will produce greater detail due to its extra 34MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Sony a1
71
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/320s)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
88
manual focus
high flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count great (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Sony a1 Street photography advice
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proof
lighter than average in class (497g)
great high ISO (25,600)
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proofing
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery life (530 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
environment proof
comes with touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
terrible battery life (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
great battery life (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Sony a1 Landscape photography features
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
terrible battery life (350 CIPA)
88
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery life (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone support
lighter than average in class (497g)
display isn't selfie friendly
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video res high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
includes external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony a1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-10-28 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 759
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 133
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/400 secs
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lb) 737 grams (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 530 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots One Two
Launch pricing $799 $6,498