OM-D E-M10 IVvs A7S
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Everyday — OM-D E-M10 IV (2020): Compact Micro Four Thirds body with built-in IBIS — ideal for travellers who want stability without bulk.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
Who should buy what
OM-D E-M10 IV (2020)
- Beginners and enthusiasts who want a compact, stylish Micro Four Thirds camera
- Travellers who want a small, light system without sacrificing image quality
- Smartphone upgraders who want a proper camera that still fits in a bag
- Anyone who wants built-in selfie capability in a traditional camera body
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The om-d e-m10 iv has the highest resolution at 20mp; the om-d e-m10 iv is the most affordable; only the a7s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-D E-M10 IV (2020) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £469 | £600 |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect + contrast detect, 121 points | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 15fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 383g body only | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.4 × 83.6 × 49.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.46× magnification | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | OM-D E-M10 IV | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history