Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A6400: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right camera can be daunting, especially when models span multiple generations with vastly different feature sets and ergonomics. Having spent over 15 years evaluating thousands of digital cameras, I find that the best advice comes from experience and real-world testing - so let’s dive deep on two popular mirrorless cameras from different eras and market tiers: the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Sony Alpha A6400.

This detailed comparison will cover every major photographic discipline, technical specs, and user experience aspects, helping you decide which camera fits your style and workflow. Whether you’re a casual enthusiast exploring mirrorless cameras or a professional wanting to understand legacy gear’s charm, I’ll share insights you won’t find in a spec sheet alone.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

At a glance, the Olympus E-PM1 is a compact, lightweight entry-level mirrorless camera that was celebrated for bringing Micro Four Thirds quality to an affordable package back in 2011. In contrast, the Sony A6400 is a more modern, advanced APS-C mirrorless with numerous pro-grade features launched in 2019.

Holding these cameras side-by-side, the size difference is striking. The Olympus is notably smaller and lighter (110x64x34mm, 265g) versus Sony’s more robust 120x67x50mm and 403g body. The E-PM1 fits comfortably in a jacket pocket - very travel-friendly - but the Sony feels more substantial in hand, offering a better grip that’s crucial for longer shooting sessions or heavier lenses.

The Olympus’s all-plastic construction is adequate but lacks the weather sealing and heft you get with the A6400, which boasts a partially weather-resistant magnesium alloy frame. If you shoot outdoors or travel in varying conditions, the Sony will better withstand dew, dust, and light rain. The Olympus requires more care.

One caveat with the E-PM1 is its minimalist control layout - it lacks an electronic viewfinder by default (though an optional EVF exists), which makes composing images in bright light challenging. Sony’s A6400 features a bright, 2.36 million-dot OLED EVF with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, making it a joy to use even under harsh sun.

The Olympus’s 3-inch fixed LCD has 460k dots with anti-reflective coating (“HyperCrystal LCD”), while the Sony’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen boasts double the resolution at 922k dots.

Looking down from above, Sony offers a classic DSLR-like control set: clearly marked dials for mode, exposure compensation, and customizable function buttons. Olympus keeps it simple with fewer external controls, meaning more menu diving. That might frustrate users who appreciate quick manual adjustments on the fly.

If you value portability and simplicity, the E-PM1’s smaller form factor will appeal, but for those wanting a commanding grip and direct controls, the A6400 is hard to beat.

Sensor and Image Quality: Evolution Over Time

The sensor is the heart of any camera, so let’s analyze these models’ key differences.

The Olympus E-PM1 uses a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13mm with 12MP resolution. This smaller sensor yields lower resolution and weaker high ISO performance compared to larger formats but benefits from a 2.1x crop factor - meaning reachier telephoto effects using the same focal length lenses.

The Sony A6400 sports a much larger APS-C sensor (23.5x15.6mm) at 24MP, nearly double the resolution and surface area (366.6mm² vs 224.9mm²). This translates into richer detail, better dynamic range, and improved noise handling.

For example, DxOMark scores place the Sony’s overall performance at 83 - very respectable for an APS-C sensor - while the Olympus lags at 52 overall. The Sony shows 24-bit color depth and 13.6 stops of dynamic range versus Olympus’s 21-bit and 10.3 stops respectively. Low-light ISO performance is also substantially better (Sony ISO 1431 vs Olympus ISO 499), which matters in dim environments and night photography.

In real-life testing, the Olympus produces pleasing JPEGs with natural colors but is limited in pushing shadows or recovering highlights due to the sensor’s narrower dynamic range. The Sony’s files show far more latitude, allowing advanced post-processing flexibility. When pixel peeping or shooting large prints, this difference will be obvious.

For portrait photographers, the Sony’s higher resolution and superior color reproduction make skin tones look more natural and nuanced. The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor can produce nice bokeh, especially paired with fast lenses, but the shallower depth of field achievable with bigger APS-C sensors is preferable for compelling subject isolation.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Both cameras support manual focus, but autofocus performance is where you see the impact of nearly a decade of technological progress.

The Olympus E-PM1 utilizes a contrast-detection AF system, typical of early mirrorless cameras. It offers 35 focus points, face detection, and basic tracking, but can struggle or slow down in low light or fast action.

Sony’s A6400 utilizes a hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detection and contrast-detection points. It features advanced tracking algorithms including Real-Time Eye AF for humans and animals - a game changer for wildlife and portrait photography.

This focus system tracks moving subjects reliably at burst speeds up to 11 fps on the Sony (vs 6 fps for the Olympus), making it more suited for wildlife, sports, and fast-paced street shooting.

The Sony’s touchscreen can even be used to select focus points intuitively - a big plus for beginners and videographers alike. Olympus’s non-touch fixed screen limits that flexibility.

Photographic Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s now discuss real-world performance across common photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, smooth bokeh, and reliable eye detection. The Sony A6400’s higher sensor resolution and 425-point hybrid AF with real-time eye and animal eye detection deliver expressive, sharply focused portraits with natural color rendering. Plus, its larger sensor offers more shallow depth of field, creating attractive subject separation.

The Olympus can shoot decent portraits, especially indoors or with fast lenses like the Olympus 45mm f/1.8, but autofocus may hunt, and background blur isn’t as creamy. Skin tones are moderately accurate but more muted, and the lower resolution limits cropping freedom.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing. The Sony shines due to a wider dynamic range (13.6 stops), letting you capture bright skies and detailed shadows in a single exposure, plus a high-res 24MP sensor offers abundant detail for large prints.

Its partial weather sealing protects gear from mist and dust - appreciated out in the field. The Olympus lacks any environmental sealing and has just 12MP, which can be limiting for huge prints or aggressive crops, though its smaller sensor size allows compact, lightweight lenses, easing mobility.

Both cameras support manual focus and live view zoom for precision focusing critical in landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

Speed, tracking, and telephoto lens compatibility matter most to wildlife photographers.

Sony’s 11 fps burst rate combined with highly advanced eye and subject tracking is a huge advantage for capturing birds in flight or erratic animal movements. The larger APS-C sensor yields better low-light shots at dawn/dusk. Sony’s vast E-mount ecosystem includes superb native tele lenses and excellent third-party options.

Olympus’s 6 fps burst and contrast-detection AF is often too slow for fast wildlife subjects. However, the inherent 2.1x crop factor of the Micro Four Thirds system stretches telephoto reach - letting you get more apparent magnification from smaller, lighter lenses.

For casual wildlife shooting during daytime, Olympus can suffice; for serious wildlife work, Sony wins hands down.

Sports Photography

Similar demands as wildlife - fast AF, high frame rates, and decent low-light performance.

Sony’s A6400 is the more capable sports camera, thanks to phase-detection AF, 11 fps raw buffer bursts, and excellent eye-tracking that lock focus on athletes mid-motion. The Olympus E-PM1 struggles with lag and missed focus in fast action situations.

Street Photography

Discreet size, quiet operation, and quick AF help street photographers stay unobtrusive.

Olympus’s small footprint and lightweight design make it perfect for candid street shooting, easily slipped into a jacket pocket. Silent shooting modes aren’t offered, but the mechanical shutter is reasonably quiet.

Sony’s A6400 is heavier but benefits from a silent electronic shutter and eye-detection autofocus, helpful for capturing fleeting moments. The tilting touchscreen also aids shooting at awkward angles.

If absolute stealth and portability top your priority, Olympus leads; if quick AF and versatility matter more, go Sony.

Macro Photography

Close focusing precision and stabilization are key here.

Olympus has built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps with handheld macro shots, especially at slower shutter speeds. Sony A6400 lacks in-body stabilization, relying on lens stabilization alone.

Neither camera offers focus bracketing or stacking, so manual focus skills and patience are necessary for creative macro work.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise at high ISO, excellent dynamic range, and bulb exposure modes matter.

Sony’s superior sensor leads to cleaner images at ISO 3200 and above, vital when shooting stars or cityscapes at night. The increased dynamic range also helps avoid blown highlights from street lamps.

Olympus’s Max native ISO is 12800, but usable high ISO performance drops off quickly. Night shooters will notice more grain and less detail retention.

Sony’s bulb mode and interval shooting make it better suited for timelapse astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Video shooters will appreciate Sony’s superior specs and features.

The A6400 records UHD 4K at 30p using the XAVC S codec, delivering sharp, detailed footage with minimal moiré. Its microphone input expands audio options for interviews or vlogging.

Olympus maxes out at 1080p 60 fps and records AVCHD or MPEG-4 files, which are decent but obviously dated compared to Sony’s offerings.

Sony’s touchscreen comes in handy for smooth focus pulls during video; Olympus’s fixed screen lacks touch input.

Both have HDMI outputs, but only Sony provides a microphone port - an important consideration for serious filmmakers.

Travel Photography

Travel involves capturing a variety of scenes while carrying minimal gear.

Olympus’s compact dimensions and light weight are a blessing on long hikes or flights. Its built-in stabilization reduces the need for tripods in many cases.

The Sony offers more versatility with a broader selection of lenses, better autofocusing, and enhanced durability, but it demands more space and adds weight.

Battery life also favors Sony, rated at around 410 shots per charge, versus Olympus’s 330 - significant if you prefer less frequent battery swaps on the road.

Technical Deep Dive: Features That Matter

Image Stabilization

Olympus E-PM1 incorporates sensor-shift stabilization, a boon especially for macro and low-light handheld shots with non-stabilized lenses.

Sony’s A6400 does not have in-body stabilization but relies on OSS (Optical SteadyShot) in compatible lenses, which works well but depends on lens choice.

If stabilization is a priority, especially for video and macro, Olympus holds an edge here.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount

Micro Four Thirds (Olympus) boasts a massive existing lens library with over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - including a range of affordable primes and zooms.

Sony E-mount (A6400) also offers a vast lens selection of over 120 lenses, including high-end G Master optics, and is compatible with many manual lenses via adapters.

Sony’s wider sensor benefits from lenses with larger apertures that yield better low-light and bokeh characteristics.

Interface and Connectivity

Olympus lacks wireless connectivity, a major downside in today’s mobile-sharing world. No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC means you’ll rely on cables for transfers.

Sony features built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC - enabling remote shooting, instant image sharing, and firmware updates over Wi-Fi, a huge convenience.

Sony has USB 2.0, micro HDMI, microphone input; Olympus offers HDMI, USB 2.0 but no audio ports.

The touchscreen on Sony enhances navigation and focus selection significantly over Olympus’s non-touch fixed screen.

Storage and Battery

Both cameras use a single SD card slot supporting SDHC and SDXC.

Sony A6400’s battery (NP-FW50) lasts about 410 shots, Olympus BLS-5 about 330. While neither breaks endurance records, Sony’s longer life plus USB charging via cable adds convenience during travel.

Value Assessment and Price Considerations

The Olympus E-PM1 debuted around $500 and can be found used for as little as $150–250. For budget-minded photographers wanting decent image quality, decent AF, and portability, it remains a tempting option.

Sony A6400 currently retails near $900–1000 (body only). Its advanced features, higher resolution, superior autofocus, and video capabilities justify the premium for enthusiasts and professionals.

If budget is tight and you want a simple mirrorless to explore photography without heavy investment, Olympus fits the bill. If you aim for a hybrid still/video shooter with more creative control, or shoot demanding subjects like wildlife or sports, Sony is worth the investment.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Summarizing their overall strengths: Sony’s A6400 leads decisively in sensor technology, autofocus performance, video features, and durability. Olympus’s E-PM1 offers lightweight portability and in-body stabilization at a bargain price.

Here’s how I’d recommend each:

• Olympus E-PM1: Best for beginners or travel photographers prioritizing compactness and ease of use on a budget. Also a good backup camera for mixed shooting situations where weight matters most. Good for portraits and casual landscapes in good light.

• Sony A6400: Perfect for advanced enthusiasts or semi-pro photographers demanding top-tier autofocus, high-resolution images, pro video, and robust system expandability. Excellent for wildlife, sports, event, and portrait photographers who cannot compromise on speed or image quality.

Sample Images and Real-World Comparisons

Take a look at sample images from both cameras illustrating differences in sharpness, color rendition, dynamic range, and bokeh quality.

Olympus E PM1 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

In these side-by-side shots, you can see Sony pulls more detail in shadow areas, smoother gradations, and cleaner high ISO noise.

Choosing between the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Sony A6400 boils down to what you value most: portability and cost savings, or cutting-edge features and superior image quality. Both have carved significant niches in mirrorless history - and experienced shooters can find joy in each for different reasons.

If you’re still unsure, ask yourself: Do I want a lightweight, straightforward camera to capture casual moments? Or do I want a versatile tool capable of professional-grade images and video? Your answer will steer you right.

Happy shooting!