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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
Portability
86
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Launched February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Announced September 2014
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL6
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL7, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL7 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was introduced 5 years later than the E-PL7 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the E-PL7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PL7

 E-M1 III E-PL7 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020September 2014More recent by 67 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-PL7 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL7

 E-M1 III E-PL7 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution1037k1037kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL7 has specifications of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III vs the E-PL7.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and E-PL7 is 67 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and E-PL7.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus E-M1 III to offer you greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-M1 III is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography details
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Olympus E-PL7 Street photography information
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL7
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL7 as a Travel photography camera
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
85
provides focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL7 Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL7 as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic support
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL7
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2020-02-11 2014-09-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor 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
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection 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
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lb) 357g (0.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 873
Other
Battery life 420 pictures 350 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BLS-50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Two Single
Launch pricing $1,800 $499