• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony HX100V advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Sony HX100V

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-40mm Lens
All E-M1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony HX100V
Olympus E-M5
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX100V vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Sony HX100V
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony HX100V vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Sony HX100V
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony HX100V vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Compared to Sony HX200V

Sony HX100V
Sony HX200V
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony HX100V vs Sony HX200V

Olympus E-M1
Sony HX200V
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony HX200V

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Sony HX100V
Panasonic GH3
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony HX100V vs Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

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