• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Olympus AIR

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 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 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus AIR advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

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 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus AIR

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

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus AIR
Olympus E-M5
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to 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
Olympus AIR
Panasonic GH3
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GM1
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Olympus AIR
Panasonic GM1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic G7
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus AIR
Panasonic G7
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX8
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus AIR
Panasonic GX8
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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