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Olympus E-M1X Comparison Review

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in January 2019 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Olympus E-M1X a good camera? The E-M1X has a Camera Elo of 2764. This rating puts the E-M1X among the top 30 percent of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the E-M1X ranks among the top 10 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-M1X
Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses
20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 200 - 25 600
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1037k dots
Swivel touchscreen
18 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body
870 shots per battery charge
144 x 147 x 75 mm, 997 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Olympus E-M1X relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Olympus E-M1X vs credit card front
E-M1X versus credit card top view
E-M1X and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Olympus E-M1X alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-M1X 144 mm 147 mm 75 mm 997 g 870 Y Jan 2019 2,999 amazon.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 1,799 amazon.com
3.
 
Olympus E-M10 IV 122 mm 84 mm 49 mm 383 g 360 n Aug 2020 699 amazon.com
4.
 
Olympus E-M5 III 125 mm 85 mm 50 mm 414 g 310 Y Oct 2019 1,199 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M5 II 124 mm 85 mm 45 mm 469 g 310 Y Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 130 mm 94 mm 63 mm 497 g 350 Y Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic S1 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1017 g 400 Y Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
9.
 
Panasonic G90 130 mm 94 mm 77 mm 536 g 290 Y Apr 2019 999 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic G95 130 mm 94 mm 77 mm 536 g 290 Y Apr 2019 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Olympus E-M1X was launched in the US market at a price of $2,999. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Olympus E-M1X features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Olympus E-M1X among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Olympus E-M1X sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-M1X Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0125475
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
3.
 
Olympus E-M10 IV Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.2140276
4.
 
Olympus E-M5 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1132476
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
6.
 
Olympus E-M5 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.012.584273
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.775773
8.
 
Panasonic S1 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.5333395
9.
 
Panasonic G90 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0127375
10.
 
Panasonic G95 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0127375
11.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The E-M1X indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the E-M1X can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the E-M1X has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2360k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.83x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus E-M1X in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-M1X2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
3.
 
Olympus E-M10 IV2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 15.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Olympus E-M5 III2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-M5 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
7.
 
Olympus E-M12360 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
8.
 
Panasonic S15760 Y3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
9.
 
Panasonic G902360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Panasonic G952360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Olympus OM-D E-M1X is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the E-M1X

One feature that differentiates the E-M1X from many older cameras is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The E-M1X reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while cameras without IBIS have to rely on optical image stabilization in OIS-equipped lenses to achieve the same effect.

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Connection 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 Olympus OM-D E-M1X and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-M1XYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
3.
 
Olympus E-M10 IVYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
6.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Olympus E-M1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic S1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
9.
 
Panasonic G90Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y
10.
 
Panasonic G95Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y
11.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
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It is notable that the E-M1X has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the E-M1X can be found in the free online Olympus E-M1X Manual or on the Olympus support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the E-M1X. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-M1X4.5/5o5/585/1004.5/5.. Jan 2019 2,999 amazon.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 1,799 amazon.com
3.
 
Olympus E-M10 IV4.5/5..5/581/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2020 699 amazon.com
4.
 
Olympus E-M5 III5/5+5/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2019 1,199 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M5 II5/5+ +4.5/581/1005/55/5 Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M15/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic S14.5/5+ +4.5/588/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
9.
 
Panasonic G904.5/5+4.5/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2019 999 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic G954.5/5+4.5/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2019 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Olympus E-M1X FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the E-M1X.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Olympus E-M1X?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Olympus E-M1X to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Olympus equipped the E-M1X with the Dual TruePic VIII image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Olympus E-M1X?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 64-25600.

Does the Olympus E-M1X have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the E-M1X is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Olympus OM-D E-M1X?

Olympus mentions a shutter rating of 200 000 actuations for the E-M1X. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the E-M1X over, say, three years, one would have to take about 200 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Olympus E-M1X?

Olympus embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your E-M1X has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Olympus E-M1X shutter count page.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Olympus E-M1X?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Olympus E-M1X?

No, the Olympus OM-D E-M1X has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Olympus E-M1X?

The E-M1X offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Olympus E-M1X feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Olympus E-M1X for flash photography?

The E-M1X's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Does the Olympus E-M1X support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards, which provide for data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s, in both of its card slots.

Which battery does the Olympus E-M1X use?

The camera gets its power from the BLH-1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Does the Olympus E-M1X support geotagging?

The E-M1X has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.

Where can I find the best deals for the Olympus E-M1X?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Olympus.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Olympus E-M1X
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date January 2019
    Launch Price USD 2 999
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 225 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 184 x 3 888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.34 μm
    Pixel Density 8.96 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 64 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor Dual TruePic VIII
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.83x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 18 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support Dual UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type BLH-1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)870 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75 mm
    (5.7 x 5.8 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 997 g (35.2 oz)

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