Samsung Galaxy NX vs Olympus E-M1

Cameras
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Samsung Galaxy NX vs Olympus E-M1

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung Galaxy NX Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung Galaxy NX in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Galaxy NX.
Compare Samsung Galaxy NX image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung Galaxy NX 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 Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II
Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Differences

Samsung Galaxy NX advantages over Olympus E-M1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
Galaxy NX test data on DxO Mark E-M1 test data on DxO Mark

910 vs 757 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
25 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
2765k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
20.3 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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Samsung Galaxy NX

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1099 vs $8000
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.33 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 8.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
50 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Samsung Galaxy NX 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

Samsung Galaxy NX

Olympus E-M5

$8000
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$900
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$900
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung Galaxy NX

Fujifilm X-E1

$8000
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
External Mic Jack

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Fujifilm X-E1

Olympus E-M1

Fujifilm X-E1

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Samsung Galaxy NX

Panasonic GH4

$8000
APS-C

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Samsung Galaxy NX

Panasonic GX8

$8000
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs 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

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2S

Samsung Galaxy NX

Fujifilm X-E2S

$8000
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$1250
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Fujifilm X-E2S

Olympus E-M1

Fujifilm X-E2S

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1250
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Fujifilm X-E2S

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