Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M1X

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M1X

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1X Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1X.
Compare Olympus E-M1X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1X conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Olympus E-M1X

Buy From

Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Olympus E-M1X

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Lighter weight
673g vs 997g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 49 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 49 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1X advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1699 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

870 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.22 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
60.7 fps vs 20.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.7 fps vs 20.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1X User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A9

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1X

Body Only

All E-M1X Deals

Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

Terrific overall image quality for a 20MP 4/3" sensor; Very good high ISO performance this sensor size; Very impressive & improved AF performance; Extremely fast, responsive overall performance; New Intelligent Subject Detection AF feature works well; More video features; Outstanding IBIS.
Image quality not improved from (updated) E-M1 II; Faces tough competition with image quality at this price point, especially at higher ISOs; EVF feels somewhat outdated; Expensive for a Micro Four Thirds camera.
Read our Olympus E-M1X Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$3147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M1X

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2133
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Sony A9

Panasonic GH5

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH5

$2133
4/3

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$3147
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2248
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Olympus E-M1X

Sony A7R III

$2133
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2248
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$3147
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Olympus E-M1X

Sony A9 II

$2133
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Sony A9 II

Compared to Panasonic GH6

Sony A9

Panasonic GH6

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2200
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic GH6

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH6

$2133
4/3

Built-in GPS
Longer video battery life

$2200
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Newer

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH6

Compare Other Cameras?