EOS R6 vs OM-D E-M1X

The second part of my review of the Canon EOS R6, comparing the Canon EOS R6 to the Olympus OM-D E-M1X. Is the R6 the clearly better camera? Does the OM-D E-M1X hold-up as the better value, as I argued back in November? I cover the general differences as I've experienced them, from subject-tracking autofocus to video recording, and the general usability and handling.

[ryantang]

Like you I have both systems. I had an R5 and 100-500 lens to shoot birds before but after using it for 8 months, I decided that it wasn’t for me so I sold both of them. The EM1X is more portable overall and way cheaper than the R5 with the 100-500 lens and yes, the autofocus system isn’t as good but only in BIF situation for me at least, I find that the 300 f4 pro is a much superior lens when it comes to birds perched on a branch or in the bush, the 100-500 Rf would struggle to focus in those situations when they aren’t enough light, it would hunt at f 7.1 which is frustrating. The 300 f4 has never disappointed me. Also, the R5 does overheat even in high speed shooting mode for extended use in the field. It would freeze and restart on its own. I decided I couldn’t put up with it and sold it. EM1x does most of what the R5 can do in terms of bird photography but much more rugged and reliable.

[vaska]

I think another factor into choosing a system is probably the question of if you have existing lenses on one system or the other.
Picking a Canon RF system because you have a bunch of EF lenses makes sense. I suppose it's the same case if you have a bunch of Nikon F lenses, the Nikon Z makes sense with an FTZ adapter.

I've personally felt like getting a different system is just a big cost sink, especially when that means you'll need to get a whole bunch of new lenses. It's probably the reason why I'll stick with MFT and Olympus until something very revolutionary happens with either MFT or a competing system.

Recently, I was really impressed with Sigma's fp L camera announcement, both with the phase detection and EVF offering. Yet, Sigma has been a bit slow to introduce new Digital Neo lenses for L-Mount, with most of their catalog consisting of lenses that are just DSLR lenses with an extension to it to adjust the flange distance. Panasonic Lumix S cameras, while very nicely made, are still cursed by DFD which seems to have gotten worse in FF compared to MFT, and who wants to spend the money for a Leica SL camera just to have contrast detection? Though, having used contrast detection only for years, it does get a bad reputation, though that could be because Olympus maybe knows how to get CDAF right in most cases.

[josech]

Depending on where you live in the world, weather sealing is another big advantage of the Olympus.

[thomasstirr]

To use the Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking effectively you should be using a single AF point. The E-M1X does not use any of its AF points to actually acquire focus... that is done in the TruPic VIII processors. The purpose of using a single AF point is to let the camera know where you want it to concentrate its auto-focusing efforts.

Tom

[allenthomas]

I love this video! Thanks for your detail and sharing your insight.

[hauke]

Larger sensors do not collect more light, larger lenses (in absolute terms) do.But thanks for this informative comparison!

[OmarIskandarone]

The smart kind of videos...
Good job!

[Ronroncho]

very nice video, but the difference about low light pics are quite big? cuz i have a Lumix g9, and i love that camera, but recently i have some troubles shootings birds in shade, i had to crank up the iso to 1600 and 4000, and i feel like i lost a lot of detail, so i was consider the R6 but what i do not like is that i guess has worse weather sealing. likewise i do not know if the M1X could be better than my G9 in low light. Great job