• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 122.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 240.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Canon XC10

  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $2373
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 3.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 122 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    497g vs 1040g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon XC10 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-40mm Lens
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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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Canon XC10
Olympus E-M5
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon XC10 vs Olympus E-M5

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 XC10
Panasonic GH3
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon XC10 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 XC10
Panasonic GH4
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon XC10 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M1
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon XC10
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon XC10 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Olympus E-M1
Sony RX10 II
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10 II

Canon XC10
Sony RX10 II
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon XC10 vs Sony RX10 II

Compare Other Cameras?