• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Sigma fp

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/30 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sigma fp advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.98 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    18.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    18.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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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.

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
Sigma fp
Olympus E-M1
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Sigma fp
Panasonic G3
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Sigma fp
Olympus E-P5
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

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
Sigma fp
Panasonic GX7
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A7C

Olympus E-M5
Sony A7C
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sigma fp
Sony A7C
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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