• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony QX1 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Less expensive
    $498 vs $949
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    52 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 574g
    Lighter weight

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony QX1

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 1,063 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    51 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony QX1
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M1 II
Samsung NX2000
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-M1 II
Samsung NX3300
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Sony QX1
Ricoh GR II
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Integrated ND filter
Olympus E-M1 II
Ricoh GR II
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Sony QX1
Panasonic GX8
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
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