• 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-M5 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 76 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-A1 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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Buy the Fujifilm X-A1
Kit with 16-50mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

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

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-M1
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic G3
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Olympus E-M5
Sony NEX-3N
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-M5 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 Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-P5

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-P5
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-P5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX7

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GX7
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GX7

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