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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(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
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Successor is Sony a3500
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A3000, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was announced 3 years later than the A3000 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-M1 II grades versus the A3000 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony A3000

 E-M1 II A3000 
IntroducedSeptember 2016August 2013Fresher by 38 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 A3000 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A3000

 E-M1 II A3000 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II provides exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A3000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 II against the A3000.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and A3000 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The graphic here should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and A3000.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II features the smaller sensor which will make getting bokeh harder. The more modern E-M1 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography features
Sony A3000 Portrait photography features
76
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
77
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Sony A3000 Street photography highlights
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Sony A3000 Sports photography details
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
60
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery life (470 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
environment proofing
features touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery (350 shots)
60
good battery life (470 CIPA)
good MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (411g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Sony A3000 Landscape photography details
76
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery (350 per charge)
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (470 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Sony A3000
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone support
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
26
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (411g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A3000
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha A3000
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha A3000
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2013-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 25600 16000
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lbs) 411 gr (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 12.8
DXO Low light rating 1312 1068
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 470 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots -
Card slots 2 1
Retail cost $1,700 $398