• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5
  • Sony Alpha NEX-6
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Olympus E-M5 II
E-M5 vs E-M5 II
Sony A6000
NEX-6 vs A6000
General
Model Number: E-M5 NEX-6
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.99 $999.99
Street Price: $899.95 $549.00
Date Available: 2012-04-15 2012-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.0 oz (652 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.5 oz (469 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.
(122 x 89 x 43 mm)
4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 67 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 4.78 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 71 78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 826 1,018
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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.9 9.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
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 Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 100mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 12 - 50mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.20x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f/6.3 - 22 (tele) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 20 - 50 cm
7.9 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x Up to 2x Clear Image zoom; up to 4x Precision zoom; 1.4x / 2x Smart zoom at reduced resolution
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 Hybrid AF (99-point phase detect; 25-point contrast detect): Multi-point, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection and Predictive Tracking
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: 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, 1.09x magnification (0.71x 35mm eq.), 100% coverage, -4 to +1 diopter, 21mm eyepoint from eyepiece frame at -1 diopter (CIPA standard)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,440,000 dots 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.58x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.15x 1.09x
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) 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
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 (100-3200), 100-25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp. (2500-9900K), Color Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV 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 Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
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 Sweep Panorama, Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur), Auto Portrait Framing
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2, 10, 10 with 3/5 shots seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
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, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync., Rear-Sync.; Red-eye Reduction On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. 6.0 m / 19.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Bundled FL-LM2 GN = 7m/ISO 100 GN=6(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi-Interface (Mi) Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 Optional RMT-DSLR2 IR Wireless
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB connector, Accessory Port 2 Mini HDMI (Type C), Multi-Interface (Mi) Shoe
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 0.61
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.51 0.66
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 20 13
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.56 0.64
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.9 9.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 12
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 9.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 16 10
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 9.8
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 9
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.26 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 0.126 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.44 seconds 0.38 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.056 seconds 0.023 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode lag = 0.175 second Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode = 0.261s
Startup Time: 1.1 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds 2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 360 shots 360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   270 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLN-1 Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLN-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM Image Data Converter Ver. 4, PlayMemories Home
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X 10.5 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel, Hi-res EVF, 5-axis image stabilization, 9 fps burst, Full HD video. New "Fast Hybrid AF", built-in OLED EVF, tilting 921K-dot LCD, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in flash, Multi-Interface Shoe, Full HD movies at up to 60p, 10 fps burst mode.