Olympus E-M1 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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Olympus E-M1 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

APS-C 369.0mm²
19.6 megapixels
45.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma dp2 Quattro Review.
How does it shoot? Sigma dp2 Quattro in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the dp2 Quattro.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sigma dp2 Quattro conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II
Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Sigma dp2 Quattro

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 3.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

350 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.39 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 3.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
50 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.9 fps vs 3.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 7 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 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma dp2 Quattro advantages over Olympus E-M1

Less expensive
$899 vs $1099
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher max flash sync
1/1250 vs 1/320 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
19.6 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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
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

Phenomenal detail and "depth" at low ISOs; Extremely high resolution; Incredible image quality for the price and size (at low ISOs); Fast x-sync speeds; Unique design is unconventional but comfortable and balanced.
Poor high ISO performance; Very sluggish buffer clearing; Poor low-light AF; No built-in flash; Very limited third-party RAW file support; Bundled Sigma Photo Pro RAW software is slow and buggy.
Read our Sigma dp2 Quattro 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

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Olympus E-M5

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro 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

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Panasonic GH3

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro 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

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Panasonic GH4

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Sigma dp1 Quattro

Olympus E-M1

Sigma dp1 Quattro

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp1 Quattro

$899
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Wider angle lens

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Olympus E-M1

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$899
APS-C

Wider angle lens

$999
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma dp2 Quattro vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

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