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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III

Portability
75
Imaging
44
Features
20
Overall
34
Epson R-D1 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
  • Revealed March 2004
  • Successor is Epson R-D1x
Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • New Model is OM System OM-5
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-M5 III, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Epson and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and E-M5 III (20MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and E-M5 III (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The R-D1 was revealed 16 years earlier than the E-M5 III which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Epson R-D1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the R-D1 scores vs the E-M5 III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 R-D1 E-M5 III 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Epson R-D1

 E-M5 III R-D1 
ReleasedOctober 2019March 2004Newer by 189 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution1040k235kClearer screen (+805k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-M5 III

 R-D1 E-M5 III 
Manual focus More precise focus

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Epson R-D1 comes with external measurements of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 III has measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-M5 III in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the R-D1 against the E-M5 III.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the R-D1 and E-M5 III is 75 and 80 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III top view buttons comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The pic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the R-D1 and E-M5 III.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The R-D1 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will result in more detail because of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged R-D1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Epson R-D1 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography information
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Epson R-D1 Street photography advice
Olympus E-M5 III Street photography advice
55
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (620g)
83
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Epson R-D1 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography highlights
30
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (310 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography advice
38
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (620g)
resolution not great (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
77
environment proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
MP count good (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery (310 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-M5 III as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
low battery (310 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Epson R-D1
Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
9
no video
84
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone port
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-M5 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-M5 III
 Epson R-D1Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
General Information
Make Epson Olympus
Model Epson R-D1 Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2004-03-11 2019-10-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CCD MOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.6mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 369.7mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 121
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2" 3"
Resolution of display 235k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.68x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 4096x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 620 grams (1.37 lb) 414 grams (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 310 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLN-1
Self timer No Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,709 $1,199