• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm X-A1 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    330g vs 497g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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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Buy the Olympus E-M1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-40mm Lens
All E-M1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1
Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All X-A1 Deals

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
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-M5
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 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

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GH3
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Olympus E-M1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Olympus E-M1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GH4
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GH4

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