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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX30V
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX50V, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and HX50V (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was manufactured 7 months after the HX50V which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-M1 grades vs the HX50V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony HX50V

 E-M1 HX50V 
RevealedOctober 2013April 2013Newer by 7 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Olympus E-M1

 HX50V E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX50V

 E-M1 HX50V 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Sony HX50V has sizing of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX50V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 compared to the HX50V.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and HX50V is 71 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specifications. The picture below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and HX50V.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony HX50V will provide extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer E-M1 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX50V Portrait photography factors
71
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/320s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
50
has manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
comes with face detect focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Sony HX50V Street photography advice
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (272 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Sports photography camera
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery power (400 CIPA)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Sony HX50V Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
environment proof
supports touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
71
great battery power (400 shots)
lighter than competition (272 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Landscape photography camera
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
low battery pack (350 per charge)
53
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
great battery power (400 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging information
Sony HX50V Vlogging information
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than competition in class (497g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (272g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX50V
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2013-04-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes 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, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lb) 272 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 400 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $799 $439