Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57
54 Imaging
61 Features
93 Overall
73


64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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.

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.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1X and Sony SLT-A57. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1X Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony A57
E-M1X | A57 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2019 | ![]() | September 2012 | More recent by 78 months |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer 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 type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A57 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1X | Sony 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 |