Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-M1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-M1

Leave Feedback

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II

Compare SONY RX100 III vs OLYMPUS E-M1 II

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Olympus E-M1

Less expensive
$598 vs $1099
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
38 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/320 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
281g vs 497g
Lighter weight
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

757 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
50 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100M II

All RX100 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

All E-M1 Deals

Review Excerpt

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

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 RX100 II

Olympus E-M5

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$900
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II 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 Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1074
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 III

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GH3

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 II 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

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 IV

$598
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 IV

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$898
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX100 IV

Compare Other Cameras?