• 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Fujifilm X20 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/1000 vs 1/320 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    361g vs 497g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Fujifilm X20

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 2/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Fujifilm X20
Olympus E-M5
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
Olympus E-M1
Fujifilm X10
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Pentax WG-3

Fujifilm X20
Pentax WG-3
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
Olympus E-M1
Pentax WG-3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Fujifilm X20
Panasonic GH4
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X30
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-M1
Fujifilm X30
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?