Sony Cinema Line FX30 vs Olympus OM-D E-M1
Sony Cinema Line FX30
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Black
What Buyers Say
Sony Cinema Line FX30
The Sony FX30 is overwhelmingly praised as a top-tier cinema camera for its price, delivering superb image quality, excellent autofocus, and robust features like dual base ISO and XLR audio. Users highlight its value as a beginner-friendly yet professional-grade tool, with many noting it rivals more expensive models like the FX3. Minor criticisms include the lack of a viewfinder, a complicated menu system, and some software quirks, but these are largely overshadowed by its performance and versatility.
Pros
- Superb image quality
- Excellent autofocus
- Great value for price
- Dual base ISO
- XLR audio handle
Cons
- No viewfinder
- Complicated menu system
- Rolling shutter could be better
- No shutter angle option
- No open gate mode
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Black
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the OM-D E-M1 as an exceptionally versatile and compact camera that excels in a wide range of shooting scenarios, from wildlife to street photography. Users love its robust build, ergonomic design, and the incredible 5-axis stabilization, though some note a learning curve with the complex menu system. A couple of long-term users remain highly satisfied after years of use, highlighting the camera's ability to produce beautiful prints up to 18x24 inches. The most common criticisms center on the challenging menu, a reported white balance issue causing a yellow tint in certain conditions, and the continuous autofocus needing refinement.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight body
- Excellent 5-axis image stabilization
- Versatile for multiple shooting scenarios
- Comfortable ergonomics and handling
- Customizable controls
Cons
- Complex menu system
- White balance issues causing yellow tint
- Continuous autofocus needs improvement
- Learning curve for new users
Scores
Specifications
| Sony Cinema Line FX30 | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | Exmor R CMOS | Live MOS |
| Size | aps-c | micro-four-thirds |
| Megapixels | 26 MP★ | 16.299999237060547 MP |
| ISO Range | 100 | 100 |
| Processor | BIONZ XR | TruePic VII |
| Autofocus | ||
| AF Points | ||
| AF Type | Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF) | Contrast Detection: 81Phase Detection: 37 |
| Eye AF | ✓ | ✓ |
| Animal AF | ✓★ | — |
| Subject Detection | ✓★ | — |
| Shooting | ||
| Burst (Mechanical) | 120 fps★ | 10 fps |
| Burst (Electronic) | 120 fps★ | — |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 | — |
| Electronic Shutter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K★ | 1080p |
| 4K FPS | 120 fps★ | — |
| 1080p FPS | 240 fps★ | 30 fps |
| 10-bit | ✓★ | — |
| Log Profile | ✓★ | — |
| RAW Video | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codec | H.264, H.265 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Display & EVF | ||
| Screen Size | 3" | 3" |
| Touchscreen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Articulating | ✓ | ✓ |
| EVF Resolution | 2.4M dots | 2.4M dots |
| Build | ||
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.65 kg | 0.44 kg★ |
| Battery Life | 570 shots★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB | USB Type-C | — |
| HDMI | HDMI Type-A | — |
| Hot Shoe | ✓ | ✓ |
Pros & Cons
Sony Cinema Line FX30
- Strong burst (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong af (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Below average affordability (17th percentile)17th %ile
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Black
- Strong build (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong evf (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong display (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Below average sensor (16th percentile)16th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 10 of 10 usage categories and 12 of 33 specs.
