• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Leica M-E (Typ 220) advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.91 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Leica M-E (Typ 220)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 2500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Olympus E-M5
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Leica M Monochrom
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
Olympus E-M1
Leica M Monochrom
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Panasonic GH3
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Olympus E-M1
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Olympus E-M1
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $1050
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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