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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
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 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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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5 III, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-M5 III (20MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was revealed 9 years before the E-M5 III and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-5 matches up vs the E-M5 III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 E-5 E-M5 III 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-5

 E-M5 III E-5 
ReleasedOctober 2019February 2011Fresher by 105 months
Screen resolution1040k920kCrisper screen (+120k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5 III

 E-5 E-M5 III 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 has got external dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 III has specifications of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5 III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-5 versus the E-M5 III.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and E-M5 III is 58 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and E-M5 III.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus E-M5 III to give more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
77
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Olympus E-M5 III
71
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
83
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography highlights
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (310 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography advice
56
environment proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
77
environment proofing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
bad battery power (310 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography features
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
no Timelapse function
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery power (310 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
64
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
does have microphone port
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
84
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5 III
 Olympus E-5Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-03 2019-10-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 121
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.68x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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 settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 414g (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0")
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 pictures 310 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two Single
Cost at launch $1,700 $1,199