• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Canon G7X

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    757 vs 556 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 6.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.9 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G7X advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/320 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    302g vs 497g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

  • Very compact body fits in a pants pocket; Zoom lens is both brighter and further-reaching than anything offered by its enthusiast compact rivals; Selfie-friendly tilting LCD monitor; Intuitive touch-screen interface; Very good image quality for its class; Wi-Fi connectivity gets photos on your phone

  • No electronic viewfinder; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; Weak performance when shooting raw files; Tendency to underexpose in low light; Limited battery life

  • Read our Canon G7X Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Canon G7X
Olympus E-M5
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-M1
Sony RX100 III
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X
Sony RX100 III
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic LX100
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X
Panasonic LX100
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Canon G7X
Panasonic GH3
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Canon G7X
Panasonic GH4
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic GH4

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