Olympus E-M5 vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

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Olympus E-M5 vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5.

APS-C 369.0mm²
19.6 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sigma dp1 Quattro Review.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 II
Compare E-M5 vs E-M5 II
Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sigma dp1 Quattro

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Sigma dp1 Quattro

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
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

360 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
43 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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 shutter
1/4000 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 dp1 Quattro advantages over Olympus E-M5

Less expensive
$999 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
~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher max flash sync
1/1250 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k vs 205k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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

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Buy the Olympus E-M5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma dp1 Quattro

Sigma dp1 Quattro

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

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma dp1 Quattro.
Read our Sigma dp1 Quattro Preview

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

Sigma dp1 Quattro

Olympus E-M1

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma dp1 Quattro 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

Sigma dp1 Quattro

Panasonic G3

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma dp1 Quattro vs Panasonic G3

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

Sigma dp1 Quattro

Olympus E-P5

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma dp1 Quattro 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

Sigma dp1 Quattro

Panasonic GX7

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma dp1 Quattro vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Olympus E-M5

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp1 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$999
APS-C

Wider angle lens

$899
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sigma dp1 Quattro vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

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