Clicky

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced January 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A55
  • New Model is Sony A58
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony A57, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and A57 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and A57 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The E-M1X was launched 6 years later than the A57 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M1X matches up against the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony A57

 E-M1X A57 
RevealedJanuary 2019September 2012More recent by 78 months
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Olympus E-M1X

 A57 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Sony A57

 E-M1X A57 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1X offers outer dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony A57 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-M1X vs the A57.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and A57 is 54 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and A57.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1X featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Olympus E-M1X will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The more recent E-M1X provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography highlights
Sony A57 Street photography highlights
67
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
heavier than average in class (997 grams)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
80
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (870 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1X
Travel photography with Sony A57
68
better than average battery power (870 per charge)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (997g)
67
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1X
Landscape photography with Sony A57
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery power (870 per charge)
2 card slots
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging factors
Sony A57 Vlogging factors
68
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic support
heavier than average in class (997 grams)
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Sony A57
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XSony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Sony SLT-A57
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-01-24 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (2.20 lb) 618 gr (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 870 photos 550 photos
Type 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
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two Single
Launch cost $2,999 $1,000