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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony A550, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and A550 (14MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and A550 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1X was brought out 9 years later than the A550 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-M1X matches up versus the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony A550

 E-M1X A550 
ReleasedJanuary 2019December 2009Fresher by 112 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k922kCrisper display (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus E-M1X

 A550 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Sony A550

 E-M1X A550 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1X provides outer dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1X vs the A550.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and A550 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and A550.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1X because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus E-M1X will give extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer E-M1X provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
Portrait photography with Sony A550
76
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
72
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
67
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than average (997g)
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography advice
Sony A550 Sports photography advice
80
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery (870 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery life (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery (870 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
good megapixels (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than average (997g)
52
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (480 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery (870 CIPA)
two card slots
66
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
not so great battery life (480 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging highlights
Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
68
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone socket
more heavy than average (997g)
9
can't record video
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Sony A550
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2019-01-24 2009-12-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 grams (2.20 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 480 pictures
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Cost at release $2,999 $749