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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched March 2016
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX80, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and HX80 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was revealed 3 years prior to the HX80 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 matches up versus the HX80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony HX80

 E-M1 HX80 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Olympus E-M1

 HX80 E-M1 
LaunchedMarch 2016October 2013Newer by 28 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX80

 E-M1 HX80 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 has exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony HX80 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX80 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 against the HX80.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and HX80 is 71 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and HX80.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX80 will show extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
39
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Sony HX80
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather sealing
lighter than average (497 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
70
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX80 Sports photography highlights
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery life (350 shots)
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery (390 per charge)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Sony HX80
65
lighter than average (497 grams)
weather sealing
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
low battery life (350 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
76
good battery (390 per charge)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse function
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Landscape photography camera
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (350 shots)
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
good battery (390 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging advice
Sony HX80 Vlogging advice
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
lighter than average (497 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
75
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
missing microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX80
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2016-03-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
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 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
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, slow sync, off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 images 390 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $799 $368