Hands-on with the Sony NEX-6 and Olympus OM-D E-M5, how do these two mirrorless cameras compare?
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Both the Sony NEX-6 and Olympus OM-D E-M5 cameras feature a 16 megapixel sensor, electronic viewfinder, high speed continuous shooting, 3inch tilting screen, and full HD video recording with stereo sound.
While both cameras feature a tilting screen, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 features a touchscreen and weather sealed body, and this is also why you can expect to pay a premium price for the OM-D E-M5, with the NEX-6 available for £710 body only, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is available for £989 body only.
The Sony NEX-6 features 10fps continuous shooting with AF available, while the OM-D E-M5 features 9fps shooting with fixed focus, with continuous focus enabled, the fps drops noticeably. The NEX-6 relies on lens based image stabilisation, while the Olympus OM-D E-M5 has it built into the body, so it will work with any lens attached to the camera.
The Sony NEX-6 features a built in pop-up flash, and the EVF has an impressive resolution of 2.369million dots, compared to the OM-D E-M5's 1.44million dots resolution. The NEX-6 also features a built in sweep-panoramic mode, while the E-M5 lacks a panoramic mode.
The grip on the NEX-6 is very good as standard, whereas the OM-D E-M5 has an option to add an additional grip, as well as a vertical grip with space for an extra battery. The E-M5's memory card slot is on the side making it easy to change when the camera is on a tripod, while the NEX-6 has a memory card slot underneath the camera. The NEX-6 takes either a Sony Memory Stick or a standard SD/SDHC/SDXC card.
The Sony NEX-6 has built in Wi-Fi, as well as Sony PlayMemories apps, to allow additional features such as Picture Effects+, Bracket Pro, Multi-frame NR, Remote Control / Mobile App, Direct upload to Facebook / PlayMemories, Timelapse, Cinematic Photo (portion of the photo is animated), with additional apps likely to be available on the Sony PlayMemories website. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 has some features that no other cameras have such as the LIVEBULB mode that shows you the photo developing on-screen when shooting in low-light.
The Sony NEX-6 features a larger APS-C sized sensor so should provide better low light performance, and Sony's lens range now includes 13 lenses, including a compact 16-50mm power zoom kit lens as shown earlier in the article. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 features a Micro Four Thirds lens, as well as the choice of over 26 lenses, from both Olympus and Panasonic, a number of these are compact, meaning that despite the Olympus OM-D E-M5 looking bigger in these pictures, it could easily provide a smaller system with the right lens choices.
Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review.
View our Sony NEX-6 Preview and Sample Photos.
Comparison Table
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony NEX-6 | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony | |
| Image Sensor | |||
| Pixels | 16.1Mp (Megapixels) | 16.1Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 4608 | 4912 | |
| Pixels (H) | 3456 | 3264 | |
| Sensor Type | Live MOS Sensor | Exmor CMOS | |
| Sensor Size | Micro / Four Thirds | APS-C | |
| Sensor Size (width) | 17.3mm | 23.5mm | |
| Sensor Size (height) | 13mm | 15.6mm | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| |
| LCD Monitor | |||
| LCD Monitor | 3in | 3in | |
| Screen resolution | 610k dots | 921,000 dots | |
| Touch Screen | Yes | No | |
| Focusing | |||
| Focusing modes |
|
| |
| Exposure Control | |||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/4000sec | 1/4000sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 60sec | 30sec | |
| Bulb mode | Yes | Yes | |
| Exp modes |
|
| |
| Metering |
|
| |
| ISO sensitivity | 200 - 25600 | 100 - 25600 | |
| White balance |
|
| |
| Exposure Comp | +/-3 | +/-3 | |
| Viewfinder | |||
| Viewfinder Resolution | 1.44million dots | 2.369 million dots | |
| Magnification | 0.575x | No Data | |
| Shooting Options | |||
| Continuous shooting | 9fps | 10fps | |
| Video | |||
| Movie mode | Yes | Yes | |
| Video Resolution |
|
| |
| Video FPS | 30 | 25 | |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | Yes | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | Yes | Yes | |
| Other Features | |||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | No | |
| Interface | |||
| HDMI | Yes | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | No Data | Yes | |
| Storage | |||
| Card Type |
|
| |
| File Type |
|
| |
| Power Source | |||
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | NP-FW50 | |
| Battery Life (CIPA rating) | 330shots | 360shots | |
| Box Contents | |||
| Box Contents | Body, Flash FL-LM2, Li-ion battery BLN-1, Li-ion battery charger BCN-1, USB/Video Multi cable, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Viewer 2/ib CD-ROM, Instruction manual, Warranty card | Power cord, rechargeable battery pack, micro USB cable, AC adaptor, shoulder strap, eyecup piece, shoe cap, body cap, CD-ROM and instruction manual | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Weight | 373g | 345g | |
| Width | 121mm | 119.9mm | |
| Height | 89.6mm | 66.9mm | |
| Depth | 41.9mm | 42.6mm | |
| View Full Details | View Full Details | ||
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Photographs taken using the Sony NEX-6
Comments
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16 Sep 2012 7:56PMWith that 16-50 lens it would cover 95% of my photography....mmmmm, yummy !
It ticks all my boxes, & is just mouth-wateringly gorgeous.......want, want, want !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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16 Sep 2012 10:47PM-
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16 Sep 2012 10:51PM-
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16 Sep 2012 10:56PMQuote:Yep, I've noticed on the individual review it does offer these two ratios, and it also offers underwater white balancing which is omitted here.
That's strange - I can see them listed above? What browser are you using?
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17 Sep 2012 12:46AMIt is more than just 13 lenses vs 26. There is a clear difference in optical quality in their lenses, and also in the sizes, and hence handling when equivalent lenses are mounted on the cameras.
Niknut,
If your mainly reason for choosing the Sony is its 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6, then you should know that there is a 12-35 f/2.8 (constant) zoom from Panasonic that can be used on the E-M5. The Sony lens is reportedly about the same size as the Panasonic, but there is a big difference in speed, and I think in optical quality.
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17 Sep 2012 2:59PMQuote:Great comparison review !!!!......but as good as the Olympus is, I'll take the Sony anyday !!!!
With that 16-50 lens it would cover 95% of my photography....mmmmm, yummy !
The inbody IS, weather sealing and touch screen of the Olympus has clear advantages, Looks like a lot of control is still hidden in menus on the Sony.
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17 Sep 2012 3:11PMIt isn't just the lens that swings it for me !....I prefer the APS-C sensor in the Sony, against the
M4/3 sensor in the Olympus for a start, & I think the ergonomics of the Sony is superior with
that chunky hand-grip & control/button layout.......
The Sony EVF has a much higher resolution too, so the viewing experience should be more
pleasurable, as is the rear screen......
The whole design & layout is (for me !) very slick, & high quality....& I'm very tempted !!!
I've got a Panasonic G1 & 14-45 lens, which I love, so I'm familiar with M4/3 quality....& if
they bought out an APS-C version it would be a stunner !
But when I can find a Sony NEX-6 on the shelves, I shall definitely be giving it a good eye-balling !, & that lens range of 24-75 (in 35mm terms) would suit me fine !!!!
I'm not bothered about image stabilising, never take my cameras out in the rain, & hate
touch screens !!!!..........the NEX-6 has PASM, ISO, AEL, & Exp.Comp. all immeadiately to
hand via direct access buttons....& that's all I need !!!!!!!!
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17 Sep 2012 5:28PM-
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18 Sep 2012 4:31PMRe the Oly OM-D E-M5, what a fabulous camera, but there are so many features and functions on it that I would never use, so at £999 body only for me is extremely poor value for money.
Koda
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18 Sep 2012 9:17PMQuote:Re the Oly OM-D E-M5, what a fabulous camera, but there are so many features and functions on it that I would never use, so at £999 body only for me is extremely poor value for money
Before I purchased the OM-D I thought much the same as you
The new inbody IS is fantastic, as is the weather sealing, add all this to the improved dynamic range and usable ISO you soon see the advantages and find these are worth every extra penny.
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19 Sep 2012 8:25AMRoy
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20 Sep 2012 4:44AMJerry
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