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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88 Imaging
55 Features
86 Overall
67

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 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 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 ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Released May 2020
  • Renewed by Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is very comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 was announced 7 years before the ZV-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-M1 grades versus the ZV-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-M1 ZV-1 
Display resolution1037k922kCrisper display (+115k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 ZV-1 E-M1 
ReleasedMay 2020October 2013More recent by 80 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-M1 ZV-1 
Manually focus  Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 has outer measurements 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 ZV-1 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") with a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 vs the ZV-1.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and ZV-1 is 71 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out specifications. The graphic here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and ZV-1.
To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Sony ZV-1 will show more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older E-M1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Sony ZV-1
71
 has manual focus
 high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 provides face detection focusing
 saves RAW files
73
 focusing manually
 MP count good (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (1")
 provides face detect autofocus
 exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography info
Sony ZV-1 Street photography info
77
 screen tilts up and down
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 includes touch to focus
 weather proofing
 lighter than others (497g)
 good ISO range (25,600)
85
 screen can move to multiple angles
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor size is decent (1")
 exports RAW formats
 offers focus by touch
 lighter than average in class (294 grams)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography information
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography information
69
 high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 provides tracking autofocus
 weather proofing
 has phase detect AF
 terrible battery (350 shots)
71
 quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 high max frames per second (24.0 fps)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (1")
 provides tracking focus
 sensor has phase detect autofocus
 low battery power (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography information
65
 lighter than others (497 grams)
 weather proofing
 includes touch to focus
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 terrible battery (350 CIPA)
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
81
 lighter than average in class (294 grams)
 supports bluetooth
 offers focus by touch
 MP count good (20 megapixels)
 screen is selfie friendly
 decently wide (24mm)
 good max aperture (f1.8)
 low battery power (260 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography info
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography info
72
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 saves RAW files
 weather proofing
 terrible battery (350 CIPA)
70
 focusing manually
 decently wide (24mm)
 good max aperture (f1.8)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (1")
 exports RAW formats
 can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
 low battery power (260 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging details
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging details
36
 has touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detection focusing
 great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 has external microphone jack
 lighter than others (497g)
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
86
 decently wide (24mm)
 good max aperture (f1.8)
 screen is selfie friendly
 touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 provides face detect autofocus
 high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
 includes mic jack
 lighter than average in class (294 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony ZV-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony ZV-1
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-10-28 2020-05-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images    
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch to focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points 81 315
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
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, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash    
AE bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash sync 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input    
Headphone input    
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 seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 497 grams (1.10 pounds) 294 grams (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
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 images 260 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature    
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $799 $750