• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Fujifilm XF1

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 2/3 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 2.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
    ~1.10 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    22.8 vs 20.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    826 vs 199 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher-res screen
    205k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 6.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

Fujifilm XF1 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5

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.

  • Cool retro styling bolstered by a quality build and design; Fast f/1.8 lens at wide angle; Fast autofocus and low shutter lag; Tons of customizability and creative options, including Fuji's special EXR and Film Simulation modes; Full 1080p HD video; PASM controls; RAW still capture.

  • Special modes have somewhat steep learning curve; Maximum aperture drops quickly as you zoom; Lens cover doesn't lock when storing; Larger sensor doesn't necessarily translate to better photo quality than competitors; Demosaicing errors and moderately high chromatic aberration.

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
Fujifilm XF1
Olympus E-M1
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

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
Fujifilm XF1
Panasonic G3
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Olympus E-M5
Olympus XZ-10
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Fujifilm XF1
Olympus XZ-10
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

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
Fujifilm XF1
Olympus E-P5
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

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
Fujifilm XF1
Panasonic GX7
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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