Clicky

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M1 III, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-M1 III (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The E-5 was introduced 10 years prior to the E-M1 III which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-5 matches up versus the E-M1 III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-5 E-M1 III 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-5

 E-M1 III E-5 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020February 2011More modern by 109 months
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M1 III

 E-5 E-M1 III 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 offers outer dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1 III has proportions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M1 III in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 and the E-M1 III.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and E-M1 III is 58 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and E-M1 III.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 III to provide you with more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography info
Olympus E-M1 III Street photography info
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography highlights
56
weather proof
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
79
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-5
Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
64
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
does have microphone jack
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M1 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M1 III
 Olympus E-5Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-03 2020-02-11
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ TruePic IX
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 121
Cross focus points 11 121
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 60.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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
Max video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 580g (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 photos 420 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLH-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot)
Storage slots Two Two
Retail pricing $1,700 $1,800