Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A1

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Sony A1 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2019 and January 2021. Both the E-M1X and the A1 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (E-M1X) and a full frame (A1) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 49.8 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Olympus E-M1X		Sony A1
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		Sony E mount lenses
20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor		49.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		8k/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 100-32,000 (500 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (9437k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1037k dots		3.0 LCD, 1440k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
18 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
870 shots per battery charge		530 shots per battery charge
144 x 147 x 75 mm, 997 g		129 x 97 x 81 mm, 737 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Sony A1? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-M1X and the Sony A1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-M1X can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the A1 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 Sony A1 is considerably smaller (41 percent) than the Olympus E-M1X. Moreover, the A1 is markedly lighter (26 percent) than the E-M1X. 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 Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M1X) and the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A1). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the E-M1X gets 870 shots out of its BLH-1 battery, while the A1 can take 530 images on a single charge of its NP-FZ100 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the E-M1X 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 A1, Sony provides the VG-C4EM vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on eBay). The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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
2.		Sony A1	129 mm	97 mm	81 mm	737 g	530	Y	Jan 2021	6,499
3.		Canon R6	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	680 g	360	Y	Jul 2020	2,499
4.		Olympus E-M1 III	134 mm	91 mm	69 mm	580 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,799
5.		Olympus E-M10 IV	122 mm	84 mm	49 mm	383 g	360	n	Aug 2020	699
6.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	1,199
7.		Olympus E-M1 II	134 mm	91 mm	67 mm	574 g	440	Y	Sep 2016	1,999
8.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
9.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Panasonic G90	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	999
11.		Panasonic S1H	151 mm	114 mm	110 mm	1052 g	400	Y	May 2019	3,999
12.		Sony A7S III	127 mm	97 mm	81 mm	699 g	600	Y	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A7R IV	129 mm	96 mm	78 mm	665 g	670	Y	Jul 2019	3,499
14.		Sony A7R III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A9	127 mm	96 mm	63 mm	673 g	650	Y	Apr 2017	4,499
16.		Sony A7R II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199
17.		Sony A900	156 mm	117 mm	82 mm	895 g	880	Y	Sep 2008	2,999
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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-M1X was launched at a markedly lower price (by 54 percent) than the A1, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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.

Sensor comparison

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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the 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 Olympus E-M1X features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony A1 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A1 is 283 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the E-M1X has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A1 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 49.8MP, the A1 offers a higher resolution than the E-M1X (20.2MP), but the A1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.16μm versus 3.34μm for the E-M1X) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A1 is a much more recent model (by 2 years) than the E-M1X, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 43.2 x 28.8 inches or 109.7 x 73.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 34.6 x 23 inches or 87.8 x 58.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 28.8 x 19.2 inches or 73.2 x 48.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-M1X are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Both cameras have the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting the sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 64-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony A1 are ISO 100 to ISO 32000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 500-102400.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony A1	Full Frame	49.8	8640	5760	8k/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon R6	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4k/60p	24.2	14.3	3394	90
4.		Olympus E-M1 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Olympus E-M1 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.7	12.8	1312	80
8.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
9.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
10.		Panasonic G90	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Panasonic S1H	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Sony A7S III	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	4K/120p	23.7	13.9	2520	86
13.		Sony A7R IV	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	4K/30p	26.0	14.8	3344	99
14.		Sony A7R III	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	14.7	3523	100
15.		Sony A9	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.9	13.3	3517	92
16.		Sony A7R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	13.9	3434	98
17.		Sony A900	Full Frame	24.4	6048	4032	none	23.7	12.3	1431	79

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the A1 provides a better video resolution than the E-M1X. It can shoot movie footage at 8k/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the A1 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the E-M1X (9437k vs 2360k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus E-M1X and Sony A1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Olympus E-M1X	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
2.		Sony A1	9437	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Canon R6	5760	n	3.0	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
4.		Olympus E-M1 III	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
5.		Olympus E-M10 IV	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	15.0	Y	Y
6.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
7.		Olympus E-M1 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
8.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
10.		Panasonic G90	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic S1H	5760	Y	3.2	2330	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
12.		Sony A7S III	9440	n	3.0	1440	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Sony A7R IV	5760	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Sony A9	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A7R II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
17.		Sony A900	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Olympus E-M1X and the Sony A1 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The E-M1X writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A1 uses CFexpress or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

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 Olympus OM-D E-M1X and Sony A1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Olympus E-M1X	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Sony A1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon R6	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Olympus E-M1 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Olympus E-M1 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Panasonic G90	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic S1H	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Sony A7S III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Sony A7R IV	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony A9	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony A7R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A900	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the E-M1X has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the E-M1X and the A1 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Olympus and Sony. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Olympus and Sony websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Olympus E-M1X and the Sony A1? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Olympus OM-D E-M1X:

• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (870 versus 530) on a single battery charge.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (54 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2019).

Advantages of the Sony A1:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (49.8 vs 20.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 60%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8k/30p vs 4K/30p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (9437k vs 2360k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.9x vs 0.83x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1440k vs 1037k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (129x97mm vs 144x147mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 260g or 26 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the E-M1X launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A1 is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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 Olympus E-M1X and the Sony A1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the E-M1X or the A1 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Olympus E-M1X	4.5/5	o	..	4.5/5	..	Jan 2019	2,999
2.		Sony A1	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2021	6,499
3.		Canon R6	5/5	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	2,499
4.		Olympus E-M1 III	5/5	..	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2020	1,799
5.		Olympus E-M10 IV	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2020	699
6.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	1,199
7.		Olympus E-M1 II	5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	1,999
8.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
9.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Panasonic G90	4.5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	999
11.		Panasonic S1H	..	..	90/100	..	..	May 2019	3,999
12.		Sony A7S III	..	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A7R IV	5/5	+	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2019	3,499
14.		Sony A7R III	..	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A9	5/5	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	Apr 2017	4,499
16.		Sony A7R II	5/5	+ +	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199
17.		Sony A900	..	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2008	2,999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A1

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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