Olympus E-M1X vs Sony RX100 VA: In-Depth Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera often means balancing your specific photography needs with the gear’s capabilities, build, and of course, budget. Today, we'll explore two very different but exceptionally capable cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VA. Despite a near $2,000 price gap and differing form factors, both deliver excellent 20MP image quality, cutting-edge autofocus, and 4K video features. This comprehensive comparison draws upon over 15 years of hands-on camera testing experience to help you decide which may be the better fit for your photography style and workflow.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

When first holding the Olympus E-M1X and Sony RX100 VA, you’ll notice the vast disparity in size and handling philosophy.

Olympus E-M1X - robust SLR-style body engineered for professional use vs. compact, pocketable Sony RX100 VA.

The Olympus E-M1X is a substantial mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body designed for durability and extensive handling comfort. It weighs a hefty 997g and measures 144x147x75mm, providing a reassuring grip especially with large lenses. Its dual TruePic VIII processors and in-body 5-axis image stabilization emphasize Olympus’s targeted reliability for demanding pro workflows.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 VA is a large-sensor compact, weighing just 299g and measuring a highly portable 102x58x41mm. It fits easily in a jacket pocket or purse, making it ideal for travel or street photography where discretion and mobility are key.

Olympus offers extensive manual controls and customization for professional precision, while the Sony prioritizes compactness with a simplified interface.

The Olympus’s extensive physical controls include dual dials, AF joystick, customizable buttons, and a clearly laid out top panel - ideal for fast adjustments in the field. The Sony focuses on minimalism with fewer manual controls, relying more on its menu system and a tilting screen.

Sensor and Image Quality: MFT vs. 1-Inch Formats

The core of any camera lies in its sensor, which has a direct impact on image quality, dynamic range, and noise handling.

Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor (17.4x13mm) is roughly twice the area of Sony’s 1” sensor (13.2x8.8mm).

Both cameras employ 20MP sensors but differ fundamentally in size and technology. Olympus’s 17.4x13mm Four Thirds CMOS sensor provides about 226 mm² sensor area, nearly double the 116 mm² of Sony’s 1” BSI-CMOS sensor.

What this means in practice: the E-M1X has a sensor better tailored for greater dynamic range and lower noise levels, especially at higher ISO sensitivities. The Olympus’s native ISO ranges from 200 to 25600 with a low ISO extension down to 64, whereas the Sony’s ISO starts at 125 and tops out at 12800 natively (boosted to 25600). This difference is noticeable in low-light and astrophotography scenarios, where the E-M1X offers cleaner shadows and more tonal gradation.

Despite the Olympus’s slight edge in sensor size, the Sony impresses with its faster maximum aperture lens (f/1.8–2.8 vs. Olympus’s variable lenses on the MFT mount) and the highly optimized Bionz X processor delivering sharp, vibrant JPEGs. The RX100 VA’s Zeiss-branded 24-70mm equivalent lens also has excellent optical performance for a compact camera.

Viewing and Composing: Viewfinders and Screens

Good composition tools are essential for timely and accurate framing under varied shooting conditions.

Olympus features a fully articulated touchscreen; Sony offers a tilting non-touch display.

The Olympus E-M1X sports a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1,037k-dot resolution - ideal for shooting from challenging angles, video, or touch AF/review. The screen is complemented by a bright 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 0.74x magnification and 100% coverage for detailed framing.

Sony's RX100 VA also includes a 3-inch LCD but with a tilting mechanism (not fully articulating) and a higher resolution 1,229k-dot display though notably no touchscreen functionality. Its EVF is OLED with similar 2.35-million-dot resolution but slightly smaller 0.59x magnification. Both offer eye-level clarity, but the Olympus’s higher magnification is a perk for critical composition.

Personally, I found the Olympus’s articulating touchscreen tremendously useful in macro and wildlife photography, letting me shoot at ground level without neck strain. The Sony’s hinge is great for selfies and street photography, keeping the camera compact yet versatile.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) system performance dramatically affects success in fast or complex shooting environments.

Both cameras feature cutting-edge hybrid autofocus with numerous AF points across the frame. Olympus’s 121 point system uses dual-phase and contrast detection, combined with advanced algorithms, delivering fast, reliable focus particularly valuable for wildlife or sports. The E-M1X benefits from a dedicated AF joystick for intuitive point selection, which I found superior when composing rapidly changing scenes.

Sony’s RX100 VA ups the AF point count to 315, a density that ensures good coverage across the sensor area. It inherited much of Sony’s autofocus sophistication from their Alpha line, including reliable face and eye detection, making it excellent for portraits and street shooting.

However, in continuous AF tracking tests - such as birds in flight or children playing sports - the E-M1X’s larger body and lens options (long telephotos) outperform the Sony’s fixed short zoom, simply because of optical reach and focus consistency.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Performance

For action photography like wildlife or sports, frame rate and buffer depth are critical.

• Olympus E-M1X: Up to 60 fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter; mechanical shutter max 15 fps; substantial buffer for RAW files.
• Sony RX100 VA: Up to 24 fps continuous shooting; mechanical shutter max 10 fps; smaller buffer reflecting compact hardware.

The Olympus’s extreme 60 fps burst rate is exceptional for a mirrorless camera, coupled with sophisticated AF tracking to capture decisive moments. During tests, I successfully followed fast-moving wildlife and flying birds, with ease of focus and exposure transitions.

Sony’s 24 fps is impressive in a compact but more limited by buffer capacity, suitable for occasional street or travel action shots but not professional sports or wildlife sequences.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

One of the biggest distinctions: interchangeable lenses vs fixed zoom.

• Olympus E-M1X uses the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, enjoying access to 107 lenses from Olympus and third parties - ranging from ultra-wide, tilt-shift, super-telephoto primes, to macro optics. This flexibility lets you tailor your system for portraits, landscape, macro, and beyond.

• Sony RX100 VA has a fixed lens: 24-70mm equivalent zoom with an aperture range of f/1.8-2.8 and 5cm macro capability. Excellent for generalist photography but limits specialized shooting such as super-telephoto wildlife or portrait-style bokeh control.

Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back Sony RX100 VA front Sony RX100 VA screen back

In my experience, Olympus’s MFT lens line provides genuine creative freedom, especially with professional optics such as the 300mm f/4 IS PRO telephoto. The Sony excels in convenience but is better suited for users wanting an all-in-one solution without changing lenses.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Professional reliability often means ruggedness and weather sealing.

• Olympus E-M1X: Fully weather-sealed against dust, splash, and freeze-proof to -10°C, with a magnesium alloy chassis. This makes it a true workhorse for harsh conditions.

• Sony RX100 VA: Compact plastic and metal body with no official environmental sealing. Suitable for casual outdoor use but requires more care.

For travel photography in challenging climates or professional nature shoots, the Olympus is the superior choice. The RX100 VA’s smaller size compensates for lack of sealing through portability.

Battery Life and Storage

Long shooting sessions demand robust power and storage options.

The Olympus’s built-in battery and dual cards support extensive shooting days with convenient backup options. I personally found this double-slot configuration invaluable for professional workflows.

Sony’s battery life is adequate for casual use but requires more frequent changes or charging. USB charging is supported on both but only the Olympus supports power delivery which allows charging while shooting from power banks or laptops.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras provide 4K video support but differ in professional usability.

If video is an important part of your work, Olympus offers professional tools such as balanced 5-axis IBIS, higher bitrate recordings, microphone & headphone ports, and timelapse functions. The Sony RX100 VA covers casual 4K shooting well with good stabilization, but lacks advanced audio inputs or recording features that professionals require.

Performance with Different Photography Genres

Now, let’s review how each camera performs across popular disciplines - drawing from lab tests and real-world shoot scenarios.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: Delivers natural skin tones with pleasing bokeh via larger MFT lenses. Effective eye-detection AF helps nail focus on eyes even in challenging lighting.
• Sony: Great sharpness and face detection for snapshots and casual portraits, though background blur is limited due to sensor and lens size.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: Strong dynamic range and sharp detail at base ISO; weather sealing helps field durability.
• Sony: High resolution and vibrant JPEGs make great landscapes, but more limited exposure latitude.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Superior autofocus tracking, fast burst, plus telephoto lenses make it a top wildlife shooter.
• Sony: Too short zoom and limited buffer make it a secondary option for wildlife spotting.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: Pro-level tracking and high fps burst enable capturing fast action with confidence.
• Sony: Decent fps but lacks lens reach & AF agility for serious sports use.

Street Photography

• Olympus: Bulkier and more conspicuous but excellent autofocus and image quality.
• Sony: Discreet, pocketable, excelling in quick candid shots.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Dedicated macro lenses and focus bracketing make it ideal for close-ups.
• Sony: 5cm macro and sharp lens provide entry-level macro but limited to fixed zoom.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus: Greater ISO performance and bracketing features aid night shooting and star trails.
• Sony: Good noiseless images up to ISO 3200 but limited beyond.

Video

• Olympus: Professional 4K video with full manual controls and audio support.
• Sony: Usable 4K for enthusiasts, ideal for casual vlogging and travel clips.

Travel Photography

• Olympus: Versatile but heavy and bulky; excellent for planned trips.
• Sony: Unmatched portability; perfect for everyday carry and stealthy shooting.

Professional Work

• Olympus: Robust design, dual cards, pro autofocus, raw support, and workflow compatibility.
• Sony: More suited for hobbyists or as a high-end backup camera.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity impacts how seamlessly you can transfer files and control the camera remotely:

The Olympus offers wider wireless options including GPS tagging and Bluetooth remote control that photographers appreciate for location-based workflows and live tethering.

Sony includes NFC for simple device pairing but no built-in GPS.

Pricing and Value Assessment

The Olympus E-M1X is clearly positioned as a professional, rugged, and high-performance system camera. Its premium price matches extensive features and build quality.

The Sony RX100 VA is a budget-friendly, large sensor compact offering excellent image quality in a pocketable form for a fraction of the Olympus’s price.

Summary Performance Ratings

Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Olympus E-M1X if you:

• Require a professional camera system with interchangeable lenses
• Shoot wildlife, sports, or macro where fast AF and lens versatility matter
• Value rugged weather sealing and long battery life for challenging environments
• Shoot video requiring high-quality audio inputs and 4K at higher bitrates
• Need dual memory cards and pro features for reliable workflows
• Can invest in a bulkier, heavier body for top-tier performance

Choose the Sony RX100 VA if you:

• Want a premium compact camera that fits in your pocket
• Enjoy street photography, travel, and snapshots without lens swapping
• Prefer simplicity with fast autofocus in a discreet, lightweight form
• Desire excellent image quality without breaking the bank
• Shoot moderate video clips and casual portraits on the go
• Are willing to compromise on battery life and lack of weather sealing

Final Thoughts from a Seasoned Tester

Having tested both these cameras extensively in diverse scenarios, I can confidently say they excel in widely different use cases.

The Olympus E-M1X feels like a trusted professional partner - robust, fast, and flexible. Whether chasing birds in flight or crafting intricate macro focus stacks, it delivers reliable, high-quality results. The penalty is size, weight, and price.

The Sony RX100 VA is a marvel of compact engineering, delivering excellent image quality in a tiny footprint. It’s a perfect everyday camera and travel companion, but will leave pros wanting more in autofocus tracking, zoom range, and video features.

By aligning your photography goals, you can be sure you’re buying the best gear for your creative journey.

If you found this comparison insightful, feel free to explore our full review archives and hands-on gallery to see sample images and in-depth tests of both cameras. Making an informed choice ensures your next camera is a tool you’ll love to use every day.

Happy shooting!

Note: All technical data referenced comes from official manufacturer specifications and real-world hands-on testing conducted under standardized conditions.