OM System
OM-1
First OM System flagship with cross-type AF and 50fps burst.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased Feb 2022
OM System
OM-D E-M5
Landmark compact weather-sealed MFT body that put Micro Four Thirds on the map.
$999
Launch priceReleased Feb 2012
OM-1 is 10 years newer.
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Wins
OM-1
Wins
OM-D E-M5
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-1 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- AOM-1 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- AOM-1 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
- BOM-D E-M5 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AOM-1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 6 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOM-1
135 × 92 × 73 mm
599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
OM-D E-M5
122 × 90 × 44 mm
425 g (0.94 lb / 14.99 oz)
OM-1 is 13mm wider, 2mm taller, and 29mm thicker than OM-D E-M5.
OM-1 is 174 g heavier than OM-D E-M5.
Depth (front-to-back): 73mm OM-1 · 44mm OM-D E-M5
Sensor size, to scale
OM-1
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
OM-D E-M5
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-1
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
OM-D E-M5
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
OM-1
AF low-light limit
-8 EV vs -7 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.8, 91.6, 72.7
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M5
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 122, 89.6, 43.7
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M5 supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only OM-D E-M5 supports it
Weight
425 g vs 599 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 1053
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-1
Pros
- ✓50fps burst
- ✓Great weather sealing
- ✓Computational modes
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Superseded by OM-1 II
- –Smaller than FF
OM-D E-M5
Pros
- ✓Historic MFT body
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Compact
- ✓Built-in EVF
Cons
- –16MP very dated
- –Old AF
- –Superseded many times
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-1
OM System OM-D E-M5
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, OM-1 or OM-D E-M5?
OM-1 scores 10.0/10 versus 8.5/10 for OM-D E-M5 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5?
OM-1 is 20.4 MP and OM-D E-M5 is 16.1 MP, so the OM-1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5 have in-body image stabilization?
OM-1 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-D E-M5 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-1 or the OM-D E-M5?
OM-1 reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-D E-M5 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5?
OM-1 weighs 599 g and OM-D E-M5 weighs 425 g, so the OM-D E-M5 is 174 g lighter.
Do the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5 record 4K video?
OM-1: 4K up to 60p. OM-D E-M5: 4K up to 60p.
Are the OM-1 and OM-D E-M5 weather sealed?
OM-1: Yes. OM-D E-M5: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the OM-1 and 640 shots for the OM-D E-M5, giving the OM-D E-M5 the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-1 launched at $2,199 and OM-D E-M5 at $999. The OM-D E-M5 is $1,200 less.
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Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.