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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F 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
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

Following is a extended review of the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus PEN-F, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are built by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is very well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was introduced 4 years after the PEN-F which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 III grades versus the PEN-F when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-M1 III PEN-F 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020January 2016More modern by 50 months

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-M1 III

 PEN-F E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus PEN-F

 E-M1 III PEN-F 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution1037k1037kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III provides 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) whilst the Olympus PEN-F has measurements of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") having a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus PEN-F in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the PEN-F.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and PEN-F is 67 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and PEN-F.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images but you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The younger E-M1 III will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography highlights
Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography highlights
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
75
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Olympus PEN-F Street photography information
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
84
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography advice
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography factors
Olympus PEN-F Travel photography factors
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good MP (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
75
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography details
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
76
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
bad battery pack (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Olympus PEN-F
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic socket
78
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN-F
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN-F
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-02-11 2016-01-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 81
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 427g (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 894
Other
Battery life 420 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 One
Price at release $1,800 $1,000