Canon 1D vs Olympus E-M5

The Canon EOS-1D and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2001 and February 2012. The 1D is a DSLR, while the E-M5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-H (1D) and a Four Thirds (E-M5) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 4.1 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Canon 1D		Olympus E-M5
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
4.1 MP, APS-H Sensor		15.9 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
no Video		1080/60i Video
ISO 200-1600 (100-3200)		ISO 200-25600
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
2.0" LCD, 120k dots		3.0" LCD, 610k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second		9 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
500 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1585 g		122 x 89 x 43 mm, 425 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D and the Olympus OM-D E-M5? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D and the Olympus E-M5. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-M5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 1D is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-M5 is considerably smaller (56 percent) than the Canon 1D. Moreover, the E-M5 is substantially lighter (73 percent) than the 1D. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1D) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M5). Mirrorless cameras, such as the E-M5, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the 1D gets 500 shots out of its NP-E3 battery, while the E-M5 can take 360 images on a single charge of its BLN-1 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1D has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the E-M5, Olympus provides the HLD-6 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on eBay).

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1D»	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	55.9 oz	500	Y	Sep 2001	6,499		Canon 1D
	Olympus E-M5«	4.8 in	3.5 in	1.7 in	15.0 oz	360	Y	Feb 2012	1,299		Olympus E-M5
	Canon 1D X Mark III« »	6.2 in	6.6 in	3.3 in	50.8 oz	2850	Y	Jan 2020	6,499		Canon 1D X Mark III
	Canon 1D X Mark II« »	6.2 in	6.6 in	3.3 in	54.0 oz	1210	Y	Feb 2016	5,999		Canon 1D X Mark II
	Canon 1D C« »	6.2 in	6.5 in	3.3 in	54.5 oz	1120	Y	Apr 2012	14,999		Canon 1D C
	Canon 1D X« »	6.2 in	6.6 in	3.3 in	54.7 oz	1120	Y	Oct 2011	6,799		Canon 1D X
	Canon 1D Mark IV« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	43.4 oz	1500	Y	Oct 2009	4,999		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1D Mark III« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	40.7 oz	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 1Ds Mark III« »	5.9 in	6.3 in	3.1 in	48.9 oz	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark II N« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	55.2 oz	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 1D Mark II« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	54.1 oz	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499		Canon 1D Mark II
	Canon 1Ds« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	44.6 oz	600	Y	Sep 2002	8,999		Canon 1Ds
	Olympus PEN-F« »	4.9 in	2.8 in	1.5 in	15.1 oz	330	n	Jan 2016	1,199		Olympus PEN-F
	Olympus E-M5 II« »	4.9 in	3.3 in	1.8 in	16.5 oz	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099		Olympus E-M5 II
	Olympus E-M1« »	5.1 in	3.7 in	2.5 in	17.5 oz	350	Y	Sep 2013	1,399		Olympus E-M1
	Olympus E-P5« »	4.8 in	2.7 in	1.5 in	14.8 oz	330	n	May 2013	999		Olympus E-P5
	Panasonic GX7« »	4.8 in	2.8 in	2.2 in	14.2 oz	350	n	Aug 2013	999		Panasonic GX7
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-M5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 80 percent) than the 1D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D features an APS-H sensor and the Olympus E-M5 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M5 is 59 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 2.0. The sensor in the 1D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M5 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the E-M5 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 4.1 MP of the 1D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 11.56μm for the 1D). However, it should be noted that the E-M5 is much more recent (by 10 years and 4 months) than the 1D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Olympus E-M5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-M5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inch or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inch or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inch or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1D are 12.5 x 8.3 inch or 31.7 x 21.1 cm for good quality, 10 x 6.6 inch or 25.4 x 16.9 cm for very good quality, and 8.3 x 5.5 inch or 21.1 x 14.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS-1D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The E-M5 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1D does not. The highest resolution format that the E-M5 can use is 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-M5 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), while the 1D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the E-M5 has a higher magnification than the one of the 1D (0.58x vs 0.55x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 1D and Olympus E-M5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One feature that is present on the 1D, but is missing on the E-M5 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The 1D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the E-M5 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D and Olympus OM-D E-M5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D (unlike the E-M5) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 1D and the E-M5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 1D was replaced by the Canon 1D Mark II, while the E-M5 was followed by the Olympus E-M5 II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1D and the Olympus E-M5? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1D:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/16000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2001).

Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M5:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.9 vs 4.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 92%.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60i video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.58x vs 0.55x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (610k vs 120k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x89mm vs 156x158mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 1160g or 73 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (80 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 10 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 1D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M5 is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D and the Olympus E-M5 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1D or the E-M5 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1D	..	+ +	..	..	..	Sep 2001	6,499		Canon 1D
	Olympus E-M5	+ +	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2012	1,299		Olympus E-M5
	Canon 1D X Mark III	+ +	..	..	..	..	Jan 2020	6,499		Canon 1D X Mark III
	Canon 1D X Mark II	..	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	5,999		Canon 1D X Mark II
	Canon 1D C	..	..	..	..	..	Apr 2012	14,999		Canon 1D C
	Canon 1D X	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2011	6,799		Canon 1D X
	Canon 1D Mark IV	..	89/100	..	5/5	..	Oct 2009	4,999		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	o	..	Feb 2007	4,499		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	..	Aug 2007	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	3,999		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 1D Mark II	..	+ +	..	o	..	Jan 2004	4,499		Canon 1D Mark II
	Canon 1Ds	..	+ +	..	..	..	Sep 2002	8,999		Canon 1Ds
	Olympus PEN-F	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,199		Olympus PEN-F
	Olympus E-M5 II	+ +	81/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099		Olympus E-M5 II
	Olympus E-M1	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	1,399		Olympus E-M1
	Olympus E-P5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	May 2013	999		Olympus E-P5
	Panasonic GX7	+	79/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2013	999		Panasonic GX7
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

Specifications: Canon 1D vs Olympus E-M5

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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