Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
![Olympus OM-D E-M5 front Olympus OM-D E-M5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5/Olympus-E-M5-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha a1 front Sony Alpha a1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-a1/Sony-a1-front.jpg)
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched January 2021
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The E-M5 was manufactured 9 years earlier than the a1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-M5 matches up vs the a1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Sony Alpha a1. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 Gallery and Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Sony a1
E-M5 | a1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Olympus E-M5
a1 | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2021 | ![]() | April 2012 | More recent by 106 months |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 610k | Sharper screen (+830k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Sony a1
E-M5 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 enjoys outside dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-M5 and the a1.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 size comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-Alpha-a1-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and a1 is 81 and 61 respectively.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-Alpha-a1-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and a1.
As you can see, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony a1 will offer greater detail due to its extra 34 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-Alpha-a1-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-Alpha-a1-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony a1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony Alpha a1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony Alpha a1 |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2012-04-30 | 2021-01-26 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 50 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 8640 x 5760 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 32000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 100 | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 107 | 133 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 610 thousand dot | 1,440 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dot | 9,437 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.9x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Max silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 9.0 frames per sec | 30.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/400s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 7680x4320 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 425 gr (0.94 pounds) | 737 gr (1.62 pounds) |
Dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 71 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 826 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photos | 530 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
Storage slots | Single | Two |
Price at release | $799 | $6,498 |