Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(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
(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
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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Sony Alpha a1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony a1
E-M1 | a1 |
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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Olympus E-M1
a1 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2021 | October 2013 | More modern by 88 months | |
Display resolution | 1440k | 1037k | Clearer display (+403k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony a1
E-M1 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
Display sizing | 3" | 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.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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony a1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony 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 |