Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
81 Imaging
66 Features
85 Overall
73
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500 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
- Launched October 2013
- Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
- Released October 2016
- Old Model is Sony A6300
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Following is a complete review of the Olympus E-M1 and Sony A6500, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and A6500 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-M1 was brought out 3 years prior to the A6500 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M1 grades vs the A6500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Sony Alpha a6500. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Sony A6500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony A6500
| E-M1 | A6500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 1037k | 922k | Clearer display (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Olympus E-M1
| A6500 | E-M1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | October 2016 | October 2013 | More modern by 35 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony A6500
| E-M1 | A6500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outside dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony A6500 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 and Sony A6500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 compared to the A6500.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and A6500 is 71 and 81 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and A6500.
To sum up, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A6500 will deliver extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony A6500 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha a6500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha a6500 |
| Category | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2013-10-28 | 2016-10-06 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePIC VII | Bionz X |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 24MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 81 | 425 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | 2,359 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Maximum silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | 11.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| 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, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/320s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Mic 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 497g (1.10 lbs) | 453g (1.00 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 73 | 85 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 24.5 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 13.7 |
| DXO Low light rating | 757 | 1405 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 images | 350 images |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLN-1 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes |
| Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | $799 | $1,298 |