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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1X (20MP) and the A7 (24MP) is pretty comparable but the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and A7 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1X was manufactured 5 years later than the A7 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-M1X matches up vs the A7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony A7

 E-M1X A7 
LaunchedJanuary 2019January 2014More recent by 61 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Olympus E-M1X

 A7 E-M1X 
Screen resolution1230k1037kSharper screen (+193k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Sony A7

 E-M1X A7 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1X provides outer measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1X compared to the A7.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and A7 is 54 and 78 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1X and A7.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1X featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony A7 will produce more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent E-M1X is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography details
Sony A7 Portrait photography details
76
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
82
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1X
Street photography with Sony A7
67
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
heavier than others in class (997 grams)
79
tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than average (474g)
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1X
Sports photography with Sony A7
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (870 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (340 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography features
Sony A7 Travel photography features
68
great battery pack (870 CIPA)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (997 grams)
69
lighter than average (474g)
weather sealing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
bad battery (340 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography info
Sony A7 Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (870 per charge)
two card slots
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (340 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1X
Vlogging with Sony A7
68
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic socket
heavier than others in class (997g)
35
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
lighter than average (474 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Sony A7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XSony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1X Sony Alpha A7
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-01-24 2014-01-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 50
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 997g (2.20 lbs) 474g (1.04 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.2
DXO Low light score not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 340 pictures
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two Single
Pricing at launch $2,999 $798