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Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 III
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony RX1, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and RX1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 II was manufactured 24 months after the RX1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-M5 II grades against the RX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Sony RX1

 E-M5 II RX1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2013Newer by 24 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 RX1 E-M5 II 
Screen resolution1229k1037kClearer screen (+192k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony RX1

 E-M5 II RX1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 II enjoys exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony RX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 II versus the RX1.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and RX1 is 80 and 79 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and RX1.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 II featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony RX1 will show extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 II will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography factors
Sony RX1 Portrait photography factors
72
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
82
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography features
Sony RX1 Street photography features
82
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than others (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography details
Sony RX1 Sports photography details
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
bad battery life (310 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
53
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery (270 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography features
Sony RX1 Travel photography features
74
weather sealing
includes focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (310 CIPA)
62
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery (270 CIPA)
more heavy than others (482 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Landscape photography with Sony RX1
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery life (310 shots)
65
focusing manually
good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
bad battery (270 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone port
34
good max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than others (482 grams)
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Sony RX1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Class Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2015-02-06 2013-02-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469g (1.03 lbs) 482g (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 93
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 14.3
DXO Low light score 896 2534
Other
Battery life 310 shots 270 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $699 $2,798