• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A1
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Olympus E-M5 II
E-M5 vs E-M5 II
 
General
Model Number: E-M5 A1
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-1
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1299.99 $6500.00
Street Price: $899.95 $6,498.00
Date Available: 2012-04-15 2021-03-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.0 oz (652 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
26.0 oz (737 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.
(122 x 89 x 43 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(129 x 97 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 50.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 35mm
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 4.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 71  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 826  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
8640 x 5760 (49.8 MP, 3:2),
5616 x 3744 (21.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
7680 x 5760 (44.2 MP, 4:3),
4992 x 3744 (18.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
8760 x 4864 (42.6 MP, Other),
5616 x 3160 (17.7 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
5760 x 5760 (33.2 MP, 1:1),
3744 x 3744 (14.0 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, HEIF, Compressed RAW, Lo, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.9 30.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
7680x4320 (30p/​25p/​24p)
3840x2160 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (1p/​2p/​3p/​4p/​6p/​8p/​12p/​15p/​25p/​30p/​50p/​60p/​100p/​120p/​200p/​240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Lens: Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Digital ED n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 100mm  
Focal Length (actual): 12 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 4.20x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f/6.3 - 22 (tele)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 20 - 50 cm
7.9 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target Fast Hybrid 4D AF: 759 points (PDAF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF); Wide (759 points (PDAF), 425 points (CDAF))/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot/Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / OLED EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 1.44M-dot, 1.15x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor EVF: 0.64" 9.44M-dot QXGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.90x magnification, 60/120/240fps refresh rates, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, 25mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,440,000 dots 9,437,184 dots (3,145,728 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.58x 0.90x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.15x 0.90x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 614,000 dots (205,000 px) 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 32000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: AUTO: ISO Low (100) - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO Low (100) - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable AUTO, ISO 100 - 32000, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB Auto (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/32000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still), Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1 (FULL) - 1/64) Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Bundled FL-LM2 GN = 7m/ISO 100 n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/400s (1/500s APS-C crop mode)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi Interface Hot Shoe with Digital Audio Interface, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC / CFexpress
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory:   2x CFexpress Type A+SD UHS-II
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 Optional via IR, USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB connector, Accessory Port 2 USB-C (USB 3.2 10Gbps), Type-D Micro HDMI, 1000Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.51  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 20  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.56  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.9 30.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 165
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 20.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 16 155
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.102 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.44 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.056 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode lag = 0.175 second  
Startup Time: 1.1 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 360 shots 530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   430 shots
Battery Life, Video:   150 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLN-1 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLN-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM Capture One Express (for Sony) free download; Sony Imaging Edge Remote, Viewer and Edit
OS Compatibility:   Windows, macOS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel, Hi-res EVF, 5-axis image stabilization, 9 fps burst, Full HD video.