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Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Replacement is Nikon D4
Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Updated by OM System OM-5
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Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon D3S and Olympus E-M5 III, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and E-M5 III (20MP) and the D3S (Full frame) and E-M5 III (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The D3S was launched 10 years earlier than the E-M5 III and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the D3S grades versus the E-M5 III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Olympus E-M5 III

 D3S E-M5 III 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Nikon D3S

 E-M5 III D3S 
ReleasedOctober 2019February 2010Fresher by 117 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k921kSharper display (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Olympus E-M5 III

 D3S E-M5 III 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3S enjoys external dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 III has proportions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Nikon D3S and Olympus E-M5 III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the D3S vs the E-M5 III.

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3S and E-M5 III is 51 and 80 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The visual here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3S and E-M5 III.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D3S due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-M5 III will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older D3S will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-M5 III as a Portrait photography camera
64
you can focus manually
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
77
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-M5 III as a Street photography camera
55
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
83
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography info
Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography info
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (4,200 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery life (310 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography advice
Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography advice
51
great battery (4,200 shots)
environment proof
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
77
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (310 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-M5 III as a Landscape photography camera
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
great battery (4,200 CIPA)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery life (310 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging info
Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging info
15
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
84
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
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Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Olympus E-M5 III
 Nikon D3SOlympus OM-D E-M5 III
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D3S Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Type Pro DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-02-16 2019-10-17
Physical type Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4256 x 2832 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 51 121
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 309 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.68x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240g (2.73 lb) 414g (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3253 not tested
Other
Battery life 4200 pictures 310 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two Single
Launch cost $5,200 $1,199