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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 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
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony W690, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and W690 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was announced 21 months later than the W690 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M1 grades vs the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony W690

		

		

			
 E-M1 W690 
AnnouncedOctober 2013February 2012Fresher by 21 months
Manually focus  Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 W690 E-M1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony W690

		

		

			
 E-M1 W690 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen  Neither provides selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're going to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 provides outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony W690 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony W690 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 vs the W690.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 size comparison
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and W690 is 71 and 95 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
In many cases, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and W690.
Clearly, both of those cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 offers the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF less difficult. The more modern E-M1 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Photography Glossary	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
 Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
71
 you can focus manually
 high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 exports RAW formats
34
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 comes with face detection focus
 no manual focus
 manual exposure not possible
 external flash not possible
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
Sony W690 Street photography details
77
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW formats
 includes focus via touch
 weather sealing
 lighter than competition (497g)
 great high ISO (25,600)
57
 image stabilization (Optical)
 no articulating screen
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
Sony W690 Sports photography features
69
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 weather sealing
 has phase detect autofocus
 low battery power (350 shots)
40
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16MP)
 comes with tracking autofocus
 max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Sony W690 Travel photography details
65
 lighter than competition (497 grams)
 weather sealing
 includes focus via touch
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 low battery power (350 per charge)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
68
 decent MP (16MP)
 flash built-in
 really wide (25mm)
 long zoom (250mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony W690 as a Landscape photography camera
72
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 great high ISO (25,600)
 exports RAW formats
 weather sealing
 low battery power (350 CIPA)
43
 really wide (25mm)
 nice screen size (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 no manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
 manual exposure not possible
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 no RAW support
 missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging features
Sony W690 Vlogging features
36
 touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 has microphone support
 lighter than competition (497 grams)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
31
 really wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detection focus
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
 missing external microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony W690
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-10-28 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash settings 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    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/320s -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 220 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording    
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $799 $297