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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Key Specs

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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-M5 II (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was launched 5 years later than the E-M5 II and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the E-M5 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-M1 III E-M5 II 
LaunchedFebruary 2020February 2015More recent by 62 months

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-M5 II E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-M5 II

 E-M1 III E-M5 II 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution1037k1037kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III provides outer dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 II has specifications of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III and the E-M5 II.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and E-M5 II is 67 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and E-M5 II.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Olympus E-M1 III to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography information
Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
82
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography advice
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography features
Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography features
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
74
weather proof
provides touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography information
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery life (310 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging information
Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
82
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-M5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-M5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus OM-D E-M5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2020-02-11 2015-02-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 81
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 469 grams (1.03 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 896
Other
Battery life 420 pictures 310 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Pricing at release $1,800 $699