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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88 Imaging
55 Features
86 Overall
67

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Launched May 2020
  • Renewed by Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is pretty similar but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 was announced 9 years prior to the ZV-1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-M5 grades vs the ZV-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-M5 ZV-1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 ZV-1 E-M5 
LaunchedMay 2020April 2012Fresher by 98 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution922k610kCrisper screen (+312k dot)
Selfie screen  Take selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-M5 ZV-1 
Manual focus  Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 features physical measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony ZV-1 has sizing of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") along with a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 compared to the ZV-1.
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and ZV-1 is 81 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and ZV-1.
Clearly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Sony ZV-1 will offer greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older E-M5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography features
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography features
71
 has manual focus
 megapixel count good (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 includes face detect autofocus
 delivers RAW files
73
 has manual focus
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (1")
 includes face detect focus
 exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
 Sony ZV-1 as a Street photography camera
82
 screen tilts up and down
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 offers touch to focus
 environment proof
 very good high ISO (25,600)
85
 fully articulated screen
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent sensor size (1")
 exports RAW formats
 includes touch to focus
 lighter than others (294g)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Sports photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography advice
67
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 includes tracking focus
 environment proof
 no phase detect autofocus
71
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames/s)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (1")
 includes tracking focus
 has phase detect auto focus
 low battery power (260 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Travel photography factors
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography factors
66
 environment proof
 offers touch to focus
 megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
 doesn't have Time Lapse mode
 does not have selfie friendly display
81
 lighter than others (294g)
 has bluetooth
 includes touch to focus
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 display is selfie friendly
 pretty wide (24mm)
 fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
 low battery power (260 shots)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography advice
73
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 very good high ISO (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proof
 doesn't have Time Lapse mode
70
 has manual focus
 pretty wide (24mm)
 fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
 screen size is decent (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (20MP)
 decent sensor size (1")
 exports RAW formats
 can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
 low battery power (260 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging advice
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging advice
34
 touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 includes face detect autofocus
 good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not have selfie friendly display
 doesn't have mic port
86
 pretty wide (24mm)
 fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
 display is selfie friendly
 touchscreen enabled
 image stabilization (Optical)
 includes face detect focus
 high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
 has mic socket
 lighter than others (294 grams)
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Sony ZV-1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Sony ZV-1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-04-30 2020-05-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW data    
Minimum boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points 35 315
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 610k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Screen technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash    
AE bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 425g (0.94 lb) 294g (0.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $750