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Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III

Portability
51
Imaging
81
Features
90
Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Released October 2021
Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and E-M1 III (20MP) and the Z9 (Full frame) and E-M1 III (Four Thirds) provide different sensor size.

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The Z9 was manufactured 21 months after the E-M1 III making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the Z9 grades against the E-M1 III in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 Z9 E-M1 III 
LaunchedOctober 2021February 2020More modern by 21 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1037kSharper display (+1052k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Nikon Z9

 E-M1 III Z9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Olympus E-M1 III

 Z9 E-M1 III 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z9 has outer measurements of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M1 III has specifications of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the Z9 against the E-M1 III.

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and E-M1 III is 51 and 67 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z9 and E-M1 III.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z9 because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z9 will offer more detail due to its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The newer Z9 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography info
88
focusing manually
great megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
77
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 Street photography factors
Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
70
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
weather sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
90
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery life (740 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z9 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography highlights
65
great battery life (740 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
great megapixels (46MP)
heavier than average (1,340g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
79
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
87
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery life (740 shots)
2 card slots
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z9
Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
32
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
does have mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
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Nikon Z9 vs Olympus E-M1 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Olympus E-M1 III
 Nikon Z9Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z9 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-28 2020-02-11
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic IX
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 8256 x 5504 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 64 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 32 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 493 121
Cross type focus points - 121
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 29 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 2,089k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900s 60s
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 30.0 frames/s 60.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 4096x2160
Video file format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 pounds) 580 grams (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 740 images 420 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18d BLH-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $5,500 $1,800