Olympus E-M1X vs Samsung NX11: A Tale of Two Mirrorless Cameras from Different Worlds

When two mirrorless cameras emerge nearly a decade apart, with radically different target audiences and technology levels, comparing them might feel like matching a racing yacht to a fishing trawler. Yet, sometimes it’s illuminating to explore how camera design philosophy, sensor technology, and feature sets have evolved (or stubbornly stayed the same) by looking at two models like the Olympus OM-D E-M1X (2019) and the Samsung NX11 (2010). In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll serenade you with insights gleaned from thousands of hours testing, shooting, and occasionally wrestling with cameras - and I’ll help you decide if either of these cameras deserves a spot in your bag, or if they serve better as museum pieces.

Let’s embark on this photographic journey - not just pixel peeping, but focusing on the nuances that matter in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and beyond.

Sizing Up the Contenders: Form Factor and Handling

Before diving into pixels and processors, how a camera feels in your hands sets the tone for your entire shooting experience.

The Olympus E-M1X is a serious beast - nearly a kilogram in weight (997 g) and chunkier than most mirrorless cameras. Designed with pros in mind, it sports a robust SLR-style body with deep grip and dual control dials. Ergonomically, it screams “ready-for-anything,” boasting weather sealing and a DSLR-inspired design geared for long shooting sessions and tough environments.

Conversely, the Samsung NX11 is a more modest offering - the weight roughly half that (499 g), and with considerably smaller dimensions (123x87x40 mm). It’s a stepping-stone entry-level mirrorless that sought to tempt enthusiasts transitioning from compact cameras or DSLRs with a lighter, simpler body.

For me, the E-M1X feels like an extension of my hands for rugged assignments - think wildlife expeditions, marathons, or storms - while the NX11 serves as a compact, unobtrusive companion for travel or casual shooting. Ergonomic preferences will vary, but the MX1’s more substantial grip definitely aids in stabilizing longer lenses and balancing the heft.

A Peek Over the Top: Controls and User Interface

The way controls are laid out, the tactile feedback, and menu navigation all determine whether a camera encourages spontaneity or frustration in the field.

Olympus has clearly embraced the “pro” approach here with a complex, button-heavy layout, including multiple customizable buttons, dual dials, and a handy joystick for focus point selection. The bright LCD on top - though missing on the E-M1X - would have been a nice touch, but the rear screen and electronic viewfinder more than compensate.

Samsung’s NX11 keeps it simple with fewer buttons, more menu reliance, and a smaller fixed-screen, lacking touchscreen and joystick control. The NX11’s controls feel slightly dated and less intuitive by today's standards, a reality of the 2010 tech landscape.

In hands-on use, the E-M1X’s layout enables rapid adjustments with minimal eye movement, critical for fast-paced shooting. The NX11 demands more menu diving for less experienced users, potentially slowing down responsiveness - a big consideration for action or street photographers.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor Size and Quality

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what really affects image quality: the sensor.

The Olympus E-M1X boasts a 20 MP Four Thirds sensor (17.4x13 mm), which carries a focal length multiplier of 2.1x, ideal for telephoto reach but limiting in wide-angle breadth. The Olympus sensor incorporates dual TruePic VIII processors, facilitating fast image processing - including their acclaimed 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS). Despite being a smaller sensor compared to APS-C or full-frame, Olympus’s sensor gives the E-M1X excellent dynamic range and impressively low noise performance up to ISO 25600 (native max).

The Samsung NX11 comes with a 15 MP APS-C sensor (23.4x15.6 mm) - noticeably larger with better light-gathering ability per pixel. The 1.5x crop factor means those wide-angle lenses feel more natural (less cropping needed), though less telephoto reach compared to Micro Four Thirds. The DRIM engine processor in the NX11 was competitive in 2010 but shows its age when compared to the dual processors in the E-M1X. It maxes out at ISO 3200 natively, and artifacts/noise creep aggressively beyond ISO 800 in my testing.

Surprisingly, despite the sensor size advantage, raw and JPEG files from the E-M1X feel cleaner and more vibrant due to modern sensor tech and processing. Nevertheless, for landscape or higher-res prints, the NX11’s APS-C sensor has the edge on resolution and tonal depth (DxO mark 63 overall score back in its day).

Behind the Scenes: Autofocus Systems and Speed

Autofocus can make or break your photographic outcome - especially in wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The Olympus E-M1X features an advanced hybrid AF system with 121 focus points, combining contrast and phase detection, along with impressive face detection and animal eye AF (though, interestingly, animal eye AF is not activated on this model). It supports continuous, selective, and tracking AF modes, boasting a staggering 60 fps burst rate with autofocus tracking - ideal for rapid subject capture in dynamic environments.

The Samsung NX11, years before eye-AF became mainstream, offers only 15 contrast-based AF points, with continuous AF but no tracking, no eye detection, and a much slower 3 fps burst. Its AF struggles in low-light and fast-action scenarios, often hunting or missing focus on moving subjects.

In real-world testing, the E-M1X locks and tracks like a seasoned photographer’s best friend, smoothly handling erratic wildlife or fast-moving sports players. The NX11, admirable for its time, feels sluggish even at moderate speeds and requires patience for precise focusing.

Viewing Your Shots: EVF and Rear Screen Quality

Critical to composition and review, the electronic viewfinders (EVF) and rear displays on these cameras reflect their era and intended user.

Olympus provides a sharp, bright 2.36M-dot OLED EVF with 0.74x magnification covering 100% frame - ultimately giving a crisp, lag-free preview. The rear screen is a fully articulated touchscreen (3” with 1037K resolution), delightfully versatile for awkward angles or video vlogging.

The Samsung NX11 features a 3” fixed active matrix OLED display with 614K dots - respectable for its day but fixed in place and no touchscreen. The EVF resolution isn’t published but is notably dimmer and smaller (0.57x magnification). Eye relief could be better, making manual focusing or framing less enjoyable for those used to modern EVFs.

For anyone serious about focusing precision and intuitive navigation, Olympus’s EVF and touchscreen combo provide a significantly better shooting experience.

Painting with Light: Image Quality Across Genres

Let’s analyze real-world image quality and suitability across photographic disciplines - where both cameras flex their muscles or reveal their limits.

Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back Samsung NX11 screen back

Portraits

The E-M1X uses a deeper buffer, speedy AF, and can render pleasing skin tones with natural color science. Its Micro Four Thirds lenses - many with wide apertures - deliver satisfying bokeh, particularly on primes like the 45mm f/1.2 or 75mm f/1.8. Eye detection autofocus works consistently, snapping focus on the subject’s iris even in soft lighting.

The NX11, while capable of representative skin tones, suffers from limited lens selection (only 32 native NX lenses), fewer fast primes, and less refined AF performance in portrait modes. Bokeh appears harsher and less creamy, reflecting older optics and smaller apertures.

Landscapes

Olympus’s 20 MP sensor with great dynamic range and focus bracketing makes it suitable for landscape shooters who appreciate high detail and shadow recovery, even in harsh lighting. Weather sealing ensures durability against outdoor elements.

The NX11’s larger APS-C sensor pulls ahead in absolute resolution and color depth in daylight landscapes but lacks waterproof or dust resistance, limiting use in challenging conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

E-M1X’s 60 fps frame rate and advanced AF tracking paired with native telephoto lenses with 2.1x crop factor give it a huge advantage here. Plus, in-body stabilization smooths hand-held telephoto shots.

NX11, unfortunately, just can’t keep pace - continuous AF is sluggish, max burst 3fps, and fewer telephoto lenses mean missing crucial moments.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, the compact size and portability of the NX11 make it a relatively discreet street shooter, aided by quiet shutter. However, low-light AF limitations hinder candid night street shots.

E-M1X is larger, more conspicuous, but supports high ISO and fast shutter speeds, ideal for quick street shots without sacrificing image quality. Its silent electronic shutter mode helps quietly capture moments.

Macro and Close-Up

Olympus’s lens ecosystem includes several high-quality macro lenses and focus bracketing options. Its stabilization and focus stacking capability help achieve tack-sharp detail.

The NX11 lacks dedicated focus bracketing and has minimal macro lens options, limiting close-up photography enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus pushes boundaries with excellent high-ISO performance (up to ISO 25600) and in-camera noise suppression. Time-lapse recording and long exposure modes also empower creative night scenes.

Samsung’s ISO ceiling of 3200, plus noisy files beyond ISO 800, limit night photography unless using a tripod and long exposures.

Video Capabilities

The E-M1X supports 4K UHD video at 24p with high bitrates (237 Mbps) and offers microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio, plus advanced stabilization during recording.

The NX11 lags far behind, limited to 720p at 30 fps, no mic or headphone input, reflecting the nascent stages of mirrorless video in 2010.

Built to Last: Durability and Weather-Sealing

If you’re shooting in rain, dust, or dusty safaris, how well does your camera endure?

Olympus’s pro-grade E-M1X features comprehensive weather sealing - splashproof, dustproof, freeze-proof down to -10°C. Its magnesium alloy body and tough construction invite confidence in rough environments.

Samsung’s NX11 lacks weather sealing and rugged construction, making it better suited for casual indoor or controlled outdoor shoots.

Lenses: Ecosystem Matters

The glass you use is as important as the camera body.

Olympus taps into the vast Micro Four Thirds system with 107 native lenses, including quality primes, zooms, specialty optics, and excellent third-party support.

Samsung NX11 has a limited native lens lineup of just 32 lenses, many of which are discontinued, reducing long-term viability and versatility.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus, despite its heavy body, impresses with an 870-shot battery life rating, thanks to dual batteries and efficient power management. It supports dual SD cards for overflow or backup.

Samsung’s NX11 reaches around 400 shots per charge, sufficient for casual use but less reassuring for event or travel photography. It only supports a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Connectivity: Staying in the Loop

Olympus’s built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS allow seamless transfer to devices and location tagging, invaluable for workflow integration and travel photographers.

Samsung’s NX11 offers no wireless connectivity, and GPS is optional, limiting its convenience for modern digital workflows.

Price and Value: Then and Now

Retail pricing paints a stark picture:

• Olympus E-M1X: Around $2999 at launch (and still commanding a premium for pros on a budget)
• Samsung NX11: Originally priced at about $626

The NX11 served its era’s entry-level mirrorless market admirably but can’t match the E-M1X’s powerhouse features or performance - no surprise given the nine-year gap.

However, for hobbyists constrained by budget or seeking a lightweight compact, the NX11 holds nostalgic appeal - if you find one in working condition.

Breaking down the overall performance, Olympus clearly dominates most critical categories except weight.

Who Should Choose Which?

• Pick the Olympus OM-D E-M1X if:

  • You are a professional or serious enthusiast who requires fast autofocus, robust build, and versatile high-quality video.
  • You shoot wildlife, sports, or events demanding rapid bursts and tight focus tracking.
  • Weather sealing and durability under harsh conditions are must-haves.
  • You want a massive lens ecosystem and cutting-edge sensor tech.
  • You need advanced features like in-body stabilization, focus bracketing, and 4K video.

• Consider the Samsung NX11 if:

  • You are an entry-level photographer wanting an affordable mirrorless system (finding used units) for casual shooting.
  • Portability and lighter weight are priorities.
  • Your photography is primarily daylight portraits, landscapes, or street scenes in good light.
  • You are curious about early mirrorless cameras or want a budget system for learning manual settings.
  • Video and low-light performance are less critical.

Parting Thoughts

Comparing the Olympus E-M1X and Samsung NX11 highlights the enormous strides mirrorless technology has made in under a decade - supercharged processing power, refined autofocus, durable weatherproof bodies, and expanded creative capabilities.

While the NX11 stands as an interesting snapshot of the early mirrorless era, it’s clearly outclassed in every professional photography category by the powerhouse E-M1X.

That said, photography is personal. Sometimes charm, simplicity, or nostalgia win over raw spec sheets. The E-M1X is the tactician’s dream - the NX11, a student’s earnest first sketch.

Whichever you choose, remember: the best camera is the one that gets your creativity flowing and your images shining.

Happy shooting!

As always, I encourage readers to handle cameras personally and rent if possible before purchasing. Specs tell part of the story - field experience completes it.