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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Announced October 2013
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Announced July 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and HX9V (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was manufactured 2 years after the HX9V which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 grades against the HX9V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony HX9V

 E-M1 HX9V 
AnnouncedOctober 2013July 2011More modern by 28 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus E-M1

 HX9V E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX9V

 E-M1 HX9V 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 comes with exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the HX9V.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and HX9V is 71 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The pic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and HX9V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The E-M1 comes with the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The fresher E-M1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography details
Sony HX9V Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/320s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
39
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Street photography camera
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than average (497g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Sports photography camera
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery (350 per charge)
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Sony HX9V Travel photography details
65
lighter than average (497g)
environment proof
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
terrible battery (350 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than average in class (245g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Sony HX9V Landscape photography features
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery (350 per charge)
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Sony HX9V Vlogging info
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
lighter than average (497g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
33
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony HX9V
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-10-28 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII BIONZ
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lb) 245 grams (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $799 $328