Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-M1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a500 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-M1 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-M1 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-M1 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Fujifilm X-M1 has a 31 % larger resolution than Sony a500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm X-M1. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Fujifilm X-M1 has 200 to 6400.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm X-M1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm X-M1 can shoot up to 5,6 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Fujifilm X-M1. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 91% heavier than Fujifilm X-M1 and its 330 gr (or 0.73 lb).

Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Name	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Manufacturer	Fujifilm	Sony
Release Date and Price	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Release Year	2013	2009
Release Date	2013-06-25	2009-08-27
MSRP	699 USD	549 USD
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Camera Type	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4896 x 3264 pixels	4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	16 MP	12 MP
Image Processor	EXR Processor II	Bionz
Image	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
ISO Range	200 - 6400	200 - 12800
White Balance Presets	7	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	Yes (Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	49	9
Lens Mount	Fujifilm X See Compatible Lenses	Sony A See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Tilting
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	920000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	No Viewfinder	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage		95%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Frames per second	5,6 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	7 meters	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	No
Metering modes	Multi Spot Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	H.264	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
HDMI Output	No	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (Geotagging setup, Image transfer (Individual image / Selected multiple images), View & Obt	No
Remote Control	Optional through RR-90 (sold separately)	Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Fujifilm X-M1	Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	NP-W126 battery and BC-W126 charger	Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	350 shots	520 shots
Width	117 mm	137 mm
Height	67 mm	104 mm
Depth	39 mm	84 mm
Weight	330 gram	630 gram