Decision tools · Compare
OM-5 vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the OM-5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
OM-5 — Outdoor & Adventure: The toughest camera at this price — IP53 weather sealing and 7.5-stop IBIS built for adventure photographers.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
OM-5 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Outdoor and adventure photographers who need a compact, weather-sealed body
- Travellers who want MFT's compact size with pro-level weather protection
- E-M5 III owners upgrading to OM System's improved subject detection
- Photographers who want strong IBIS and rugged build without OM-1 pricing
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | OM-5OM System · 2022 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £899Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p, OM-Log400 | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 121 all-cross points, subject tracking | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 7.5 stops (Dual IS with compatible lenses) | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic, 10fps mechanical | 30fps electronic with full AF/AE |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 414g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 87.6 × 49.7mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
OM-5
A1
Portrait
6.5/10
8.2/10
Street
6.8/10
6.1/10
Travel
6.6/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
5.5/10
7.9/10
Vlogging & Video
6.1/10
—
Filmmaking
5.1/10
7.8/10
Documentary
6.3/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.7/10
8.8/10
Landscape
5.9/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
7.5/10
8.7/10
Casual
6.0/10
4.8/10
Food
6.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
8.1/10
7.3/10
Architecture
6.0/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
6.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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