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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II front
Portability
59
Imaging
79
Features
93
Overall
84

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic S5 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3968 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 740g - 134 x 102 x 90mm
  • Announced January 2023
  • Succeeded the Panasonic S5
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic S5 II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the S5 II (24MP) is fairly well matched but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and S5 II (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 3 years before the S5 II and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-M1 III grades versus the S5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic S5 II

 E-M1 III S5 II 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 II over the Olympus E-M1 III

 S5 II E-M1 III 
AnnouncedJanuary 2023February 2020More recent by 35 months
Display resolution1840k1037kClearer display (+803k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic S5 II

 E-M1 III S5 II 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3.00"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Panasonic S5 II has sizing of 134mm x 102mm x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic S5 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 III vs the S5 II.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and S5 II is 67 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and S5 II.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic S5 II will resolve extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older E-M1 III is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S5 II Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
87
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Panasonic S5 II Street photography highlights
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography information
Panasonic S5 II Sports photography information
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
83
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (370 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic S5 II
79
environment sealing
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
72
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers touch to focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery power (370 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic S5 II
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
83
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.00 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Panasonic S5 II
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone support
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (5952 x 3968 pixels)
includes mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic S5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic S5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2020-02-11 2023-01-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 779
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Available lenses 107 65
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.00 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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 Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 5952 x 3968 @ 30p/24p
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 5952x3968
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 740g (1.63 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 134 x 102 x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 shots 370 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 DMW-BLJ31
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots Two Two
Cost at launch $1,800 $2,000