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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony W550, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and W550 (14MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and W550 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The E-M1X was manufactured 7 years later than the W550 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-M1X scores versus the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony W550

 E-M1X W550 
IntroducedJanuary 2019July 2011Fresher by 92 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Olympus E-M1X

 W550 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Sony W550

 E-M1X W550 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1X comes with physical dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) and the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1X compared to the W550.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and W550 is 54 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1X and W550.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1X because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1X will give greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer E-M1X should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
Portrait photography with Sony W550
76
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography highlights
Sony W550 Street photography highlights
67
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (25,600)
heavier than average (997 grams)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1X
Sports photography with Sony W550
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (870 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography details
Sony W550 Travel photography details
68
better than average battery pack (870 per charge)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
heavier than average (997 grams)
65
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1X
Landscape photography with Sony W550
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery pack (870 CIPA)
2 card slots
42
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging information
Sony W550 Vlogging information
68
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
heavier than average (997 grams)
29
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-M1X vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Sony W550
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2019-01-24 2011-07-24
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic VIII BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997g (2.20 lb) 110g (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 870 shots -
Style of battery Built-in -
Battery ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 -
Pricing at release $2,999 $119