Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-M1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a7 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2013.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-M1 2013
Sony a7 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-M1 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm X-M1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 a7 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm X-M1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Sony a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Sony a7 has a 50 % larger resolution than Fujifilm X-M1. 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 a7 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm X-M1. Sony a7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Fujifilm X-M1 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-M1 200-6400
Sony a7 100-25600

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 a7

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 a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-M1 5,6
Sony a7 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a7 can shoot movies.

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 a7 weighs 474 gr (equal to 1.04 lb) which is 44% heavier than Fujifilm X-M1 and its 330 gr (or 0.73 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-M1 330 gr
0.73 lb
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb

Fujifilm X-M1 vs Sony a7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony a7, 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 a7
Name Fujifilm X-M1 Sony a7
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Release Year 2013 2013
Release Date 2013-06-25 2013-10-16
MSRP 699 USD 1699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXR Processor II Bionz X
Image
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 117
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Frames per second 5,6 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
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) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
AVCHD
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Geotagging setup, Image transfer (Individual image / Selected multiple images), View & Obt
Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Remote Control Optional through RR-90 (sold separately)
Yes (wired)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-M1
Sony a7
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126 battery and BC-W126 charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 340 shots
Width 117 mm 127 mm
Height 67 mm 94 mm
Depth 39 mm 48 mm
Weight 330 gram 474 gram