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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Launched September 2017
  • Previous Model is Sony RX10 III
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony RX10 IV, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the RX10 IV (20MP) is very close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and RX10 IV (1") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 4 years prior to the RX10 IV which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M1 scores vs the RX10 IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony RX10 IV

 E-M1 RX10 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Olympus E-M1

 RX10 IV E-M1 
LaunchedSeptember 2017October 2013Newer by 47 months
Display resolution1440k1037kSharper display (+403k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony RX10 IV

 E-M1 RX10 IV 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 has got external dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony RX10 IV has specifications of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") accompanied by a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony RX10 IV in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 compared to the RX10 IV.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and RX10 IV is 71 and 52 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specs. The image underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and RX10 IV.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX10 IV will result in greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Sony RX10 IV
71
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
71
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Sony RX10 IV
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than competition (497g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
64
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
weather proof
more heavy than others in class (1,095 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Sports photography camera
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
low battery power (350 shots)
76
excellent zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (24.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography features
Sony RX10 IV Travel photography features
65
lighter than competition (497 grams)
environment sealing
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
low battery power (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
weather proof
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (1,095 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Sony RX10 IV Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery power (350 per charge)
62
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1
Vlogging with Sony RX10 IV
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
lighter than competition (497g)
display isn't selfie friendly
29
quite wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,095 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony RX10 IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2017-09-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
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 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 81 315
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.80 m (at 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, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/2000 seconds
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lb) 1095 gr (2.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
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 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $799 $1,698