Nikon Z7 II vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 III: An In-Depth Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing your next camera is often a complex blend of knowing your shooting style, budget constraints, and understanding the nuanced specs that really matter in real-world photography. I’ve spent well over a decade thoroughly testing cameras in both controlled lab environments and diverse shooting scenarios - from sprawling landscapes at dawn, to intimate portraits under tricky lighting, to adrenaline-pumping sports and wildlife sessions. Today, let’s dive deep into comparing two respected mirrorless models that cater to quite different needs and philosophies: the Nikon Z7 II and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll walk you through their design, sensor tech, autofocus prowess, handling, and versatility across major photography disciplines. Whether you’re a pro looking for a robust full-frame workhorse or a passionate enthusiast wanting a lightweight, versatile travel companion, this article will help clarify which camera is best suited for your workflow and creative ambitions.

First Impressions & Physical Feel: Handling That Shapes Your Experience

Before even touching image quality or autofocus, the first tangible interaction with a camera often colors your entire shooting experience - ergonomics, button layout, and weight all factor in.

Take a look at the size and build differences:

The Nikon Z7 II is a solid, SLR-style mirrorless camera, weighing 705 grams with a fairly deep grip. Its dimensions (134x101x70 mm) give it a reassuring heft that many professionals find stable, especially when pairing with heavy lenses. This isn’t a camera you’re likely to forget you’re holding - and that’s a good thing if stability and balance drive your style.

The Olympus E-M5 III, in contrast, tips the scales at a light 414 grams and is significantly more compact (125x85x50 mm). Its Micro Four Thirds design philosophy prioritizes portability and mobility. This makes it an excellent travel and street photography companion. The grip is smaller, the body slimmer, and it’s much easier to slip into a jacket pocket or smaller bag without becoming cumbersome.

Now, examining the top control layout gives more clues about their operational philosophy:

The Z7 II sports a traditional top panel with a dedicated ISO dial and dual command dials which allow rapid adjustment of key exposure parameters with a tactile feel. If you’re used to DSLRs or prefer quick, direct dial control without menu hunting, the Z7 II continues that legacy.

Olympus opts for a bit more compactness with fewer physical dials, integrating more functionality into customizable buttons. The flip-out, fully articulated LCD (we’ll discuss display tech soon) also hints at a tilt toward versatility for video and vlogging use.

In short: Nikon's design is tailored towards professionals and enthusiast photographers who prioritize handling precision and durability; Olympus targets shooters who value portability without completely sacrificing manual control.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Fundamental Difference

The sensor size and design have a profound influence on image quality, depth of field control, and low-light performance.

Check out the sensor size comparison:

The Nikon Z7 II boasts a 46.5-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 35.9x23.9 mm with no anti-aliasing filter. This sensor captures an enormous amount of detail (up to 8256x5504 pixels), delivering incredible resolution perfect for large prints, commercial use, or landscape cropping. It also excels in dynamic range and low noise at base ISO 64 through to a maximum ISO 25600 (expandable to 102400), thanks to its backside illumination and modern sensor design.

On the other hand, the Olympus E-M5 III houses a 20.4-megapixel Four Thirds MOS sensor measuring 17.4x13 mm - roughly a quarter the sensor area of the Nikon. While it has an anti-aliasing filter (which slightly smooths textures to avoid moiré), it provides respectable detail for its class at source resolution of 5184x3888. The native ISO range maxes at 25600 with a base ISO 200, and it does well in good light, but noise becomes more pronounced in darker conditions, compared to full-frame.

I’ve consistently found that, although Micro Four Thirds cameras have traditionally lagged behind full-frame in image quality, Olympus’s processing engine (TruePic VIII) helps mitigate limitations, particularly sharpening details and controlling noise in JPEG output. However, when pixel peeping or demanding post-processing, the Nikon’s sensor retains superior latitude for highlights and shadows, offering professionals richer file workflows.

So, if ultimate resolution and image fidelity are your paramount criteria, the Nikon Z7 II is the clear frontrunner. Olympus shines when portability and brisk response outweigh absolute image detail.

The Viewfinder and Screen Experience: Framing Your Shots with Confidence

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) and rear LCD screen quality affect how confidently you compose and review your work on the go.

Let’s compare their size, resolution, and articulation:

The Nikon Z7 II sports a high-resolution 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2.1 million dots, coupled with a brilliant 3.69 million dot OLED EVF with 0.8x magnification. This combination offers a large, clear preview that’s especially welcome for pixel-level focus checking in 46MP images. The slightly angled tilting mechanism doesn’t allow full articulation but suffices for most shooting styles.

Olympus’s 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen features a 1.04 million dot resolution, noticeably less dense than Nikon’s but still sharp enough for casual review and menu navigation. The articulating LCD is a practical boon for video, vlogging, and awkward angles (overhead or waist-level shooting). Its EVF is smaller and lower resolution (2.36 million dots, 0.68x magnification) but remains usable with fast refresh rates, suitable for street or run-and-gun photography.

So, the Nikon’s superior resolution and viewfinder magnification translate to sharper critical manual focus confirmation and framing accuracy. Olympus bets on screen flexibility and portability, excellent for more casual or mobile use, though the EVF is a bit less punchy.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Varied Conditions

Focusing performance can make or break your shooting session - especially in fast-paced or low-light environments.

Here’s a quick snapshot of their AF attributes:

To put it simply, the Nikon’s 493-point phase-detection system with eye and animal AF is a major step above in both coverage and accuracy, especially for moving subjects. From birds in flight to erratic children’s expressions, the Z7 II locks focus with confidence and tends to maintain it longer. In practice, you’ll see less hunting and more decisive shots.

Olympus’s AF, while significantly improved from its predecessors, relies more on contrast detection augmented by phase pixels. It manages decent tracking performance and accurate eye AF for humans, but the lack of animal eye detection is a downside if you frequently shoot pets or wildlife.

When reviewing burst shooting combined with AF: Olympus clocks an impressive 30 fps (shutter or electronic) - great for capturing fast action in small bursts. Nikon’s 10 fps with continuous AF is solid but not racehorse-fast.

In sports or wildlife contexts, Nikon’s comprehensive AF and tracking edge translate to more keepers out of the burst. Olympus compensates with faster frame rates but less sophisticated AF tracking.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing: Reliability Where It Counts

Both cameras stress weather sealing and ruggedness but differ in build and intended use.

Nikon’s Z7 II body is robust, made with magnesium alloy, and offers professional-level dust and moisture sealing. Its shutter is rated for approximately 200,000 actuations, giving confidence for extended professional use.

Olympus E-M5 III, while lighter, also features weather sealing rated to similar standards with freezeproof operation down to –10°C, making it surprisingly capable in adverse conditions for its size and weight class. The compact body balances weather resistance with portability.

Neither camera boasts explicit shock or crush proofing, so protective handling is still advised, but overall, Nikon feels more like a “semi-pro” tool - bulkier but ready for long hours in tough environments. Olympus embodies a “rugged travel” ethos, being as weatherproof as possible without compromising portability.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: More Than Just the Camera Body

A camera is only as good as the lenses you can pair it with.

Nikon Z7 II uses the Nikon Z mount, a relatively new but quickly expanding mirrorless platform with 15 native lenses available today. Notably, this includes high-end fast primes and pro-grade zooms. Nikon’s commitment to full-frame mirrorless means you’re future-proofed with increasingly diverse glass, supplemented by an FTZ adapter allowing seamless use of older F-mount DSLR lenses.

Olympus cameras mount on the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) ecosystem - arguably one of the most mature and extensive mirrorless lens systems out there, with over 100 native lenses available from Olympus and partners like Panasonic, Sigma, and more. This grants enormous flexibility in focal lengths, apertures, price ranges, and third-party options - including excellent macro, tilt-shift, and compact primes.

That said, the narrower sensor and 2.1x crop factor means your effective focal lengths double, which is a boon for telephoto hunting but more limiting for wide-angle work.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions: How Long Can You Shoot?

For extended outings, battery stamina and convenience of storage matter deeply.

The Nikon Z7 II incorporates a 420-shot CIPA-rated battery life - quite decent for a high-resolution full-frame mirrorless. It uses EN-EL15c batteries and features dual card slots accepting fast CFexpress (Type B), XQD, and SD UHS-II cards, giving professionals flexibility and redundancy.

Olympus E-M5 III, thanks to its efficient Micro Four Thirds platform and smaller sensor, achieves about 310 shots per battery (via BLN-1 battery) rated by CIPA. That’s respectable for a smaller system but will require spares on extended trips. There is only a single SD card slot, supporting UHS-II, so no backup slot is available on the fly.

If you shoot tethered or in heavy bursts often, Nikon’s dual slots and higher capacity batteries are a clear advantage.

Connectivity and Video Features: More Than Stills

Both cameras support built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy image transfer and remote control from smartphones - an expectation in today’s workflows.

Regarding video, Nikon records 4K UHD (3840x2160) up to 60p with 10-bit N-Log profile capabilities (via firmware updates and external recorders), making it appealing as a hybrid shooter’s choice. Its microphone and headphone jacks facilitate monitoring and high-quality audio.

Olympus supports true 4K DCI (4096x2160) at 24p with great color reproduction but lacks a headphone jack. Its video bit rate maxes out at around 237 Mbps, providing ample detail for enthusiast videography. The fully articulating screen makes it preferable for vloggers or one-person productions.

In-body 5-axis stabilization on both models allows smooth handheld shooting, but Olympus’s proven stabilization system remains one of the best in MFT cameras, very useful given smaller sensor size and lighter build.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let me walk you through how both cameras stack up in targeted photography applications, based on my hours and days behind the viewfinder with each.

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s large sensor coupled with excellent color science, lack of AA filter, and impressive eye/animal AF make it a dream for crisp, detailed portraits with natural skin tones and creamy bokeh from prime lenses. The 493 AF points cover wide areas, so you can keep focus locked on eyes even in dynamic scenes.

Olympus, with its smaller sensor, delivers very clean JPEG portraits in good light, and the more compact lenses facilitate on-the-go shooting. Bokeh tends to be tighter and less creamy due to depth of field constraints but still acceptable. Eye AF works well, but no animal eye, so pet portraits are less refined.

Landscape Photography

The Nikon’s 46MP sensor truly shines here - delivering astounding detail, great dynamic range, and excellent shadow recovery in RAW files. The weather sealing allows challenging shoots in damp or dusty environments.

Olympus’s 20MP sensor and 5-axis stabilization can be paired with excellent weather-sealed lenses for superb landscape shots, especially thanks to focus stacking and in-camera HDR features. However, the smaller sensor limits ultimate dynamic range and noise handling.

Wildlife and Sports

Thanks to its blazing AF coverage, eye and animal detection, and solid 10 fps burst, Nikon is the better bet for sports and wildlife, especially if paired with long telephoto lenses and fast memory cards.

Olympus can shoot at 30 fps electronically, which is handy for quick action bursts, but smaller AF coverage and less advanced tracking limit consistent keeper rates in chaotic wildlife or sports scenes.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compactness, quieter operation (with electronic shutter up to 1/32000s), and discretion make it excellent for street shooters desiring speed and mobility without calling attention.

Nikon’s bigger size can be intrusive and less convenient on long expeditions or crowded urban areas. But if you prefer fast handling and superior image quality, Nikon wins here.

Macro Photography

Thanks to the vast MFT lens ecosystem, Olympus offers superb macro options with excellent focusing precision and in-body stabilization aiding handheld macro work.

Nikon’s native macro lenses deliver more detail, but the larger sensor combined with shallow depth of field requires tripod aid more often unless you have fast glass.

Night and Astro Photography

Nikon’s brighter sensor base ISO 64, excellent dynamic range, and low noise at high ISO make it suited for low light and astrophotography. The 10 fps burst can be combined with exposure bracketing and focus stacking.

Olympus, with a min ISO of 200 and smaller sensor, is less ideal for night skies but can still produce respectable star trails and night cityscapes with stabilized longer exposures.

Travel Photography

The Olympus E-M5 III is wonderfully versatile for travel - compact, lightweight, solid weather sealing, and an extensive lens ecosystem make it a breeze for long days on the go.

Though the Nikon is bulkier and heavier, its richer image quality and professional features make it suitable for travel if you prioritize quality over convenience and don’t mind the weight.

Sample Gallery: Visual Proof of Performance

See these sample images from both cameras showing portraits, landscapes, sports action, and macros under various lighting.

Nikon Z7 II front Nikon Z7 II screen back Olympus E M5 III front Olympus E M5 III screen back

Note the Nikon Z7 II images show greater resolution and smoother tonal transitions, while Olympus results impress with versatility and color fidelity.

Performance Ratings Summarized

Here’s an aggregated view based on lab testing and field performance:

While the Nikon leads generally, Olympus scores high for portability and burst speed.

Genre-Specific Scores: Where Each Camera Excels

Breaking down suitability for nine major photography types:

• Nikon dominates portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, night, and pro workflows.
• Olympus takes street, macro, travel, and some video niches.

Who Should Choose Nikon Z7 II?

• You want top-tier image quality and resolution for professional-grade prints or heavy cropping
• You shoot portraits needing flawless eye and animal AF, combined with creamy full-frame bokeh
• You often photograph sports, wildlife, landscapes, or night scenes requiring strong AF, dynamic range, and ISO performance
• You require robust build, dual card slots, and better battery endurance
• You plan to leverage the growing Nikon Z full-frame lens ecosystem
• Size and weight are less critical concerns in your workflow

Who Should Lean Towards Olympus OM-D E-M5 III?

• You need a highly portable, lightweight camera for travel, street, or casual shooting
• You seek a versatile lens ecosystem that balances telephoto reach, macro ability, and compact primes
• You value articulate touchscreens and video-friendly features for hybrid shooting
• Your priority is speed in autofocus bursts and silent electronic shutter operation
• Budget is tighter but you still want advanced features and weather sealing
• Depth of field control and ultimate resolution are less of a priority

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras for Different Creative Journeys

The Nikon Z7 II and Olympus OM-D E-M5 III stand as excellent mirrorless cameras but occupy different ends of the enthusiast and pro spectrum - full-frame excellence versus compact versatility.

I prefer the Z7 II when absolute image quality, precision AF, and pro-grade reliability are essential - it’s a camera that can credibly serve photojournalists, studio pros, and landscape masters alike.

Conversely, I find the Olympus E-M5 III an alluring choice for photographers craving a nimble, stealthy system for travel, casual street work, and general-purpose photography without lugging heavy gear.

Whichever you choose, both cameras embody mature, capable systems reflecting their brand’s heritage and innovation.

If you want to explore handling, AF in action, or in-depth lab test comparisons, check out my hands-on video reviews linked above - seeing them in action helps complement this detailed breakdown.

Feel free to reach out with your shooting preferences or specific questions; choosing the right camera is an exciting step, and I’m here to help you make the best-informed decision.

Happy shooting!