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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax 645Z front
Portability
49
Imaging
80
Features
74
Overall
77

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
  • 51MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1550g - 156 x 117 x 123mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Older Model is Pentax 645D
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and 645Z (Medium format) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 5 years later than the 645Z and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the 645Z in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax 645Z

 E-M1 III 645Z 
ReleasedFebruary 2020April 2014Fresher by 71 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax 645Z over the Olympus E-M1 III

 645Z E-M1 III 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax 645Z

 E-M1 III 645Z 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution1037k1037kThe same screen resolution

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys outer dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") having a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 III versus the 645Z.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and 645Z is 67 and 49 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and 645Z.

Clearly, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax 645Z will resolve greater detail having its extra 31MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Pentax 645Z
77
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
88
focusing manually
megapixel count great (51MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645Z as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
63
screen tilts
great sensor size (Medium format)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (204,800)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Sports photography highlights
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
71
megapixel count great (51 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (650 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Pentax 645Z
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
51
environment sealing
megapixel count great (51 megapixels)
not so great battery life (650 CIPA)
heavier than average in class (1,550g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography highlights
Pentax 645Z Landscape photography highlights
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
megapixel count great (51MP)
great sensor size (Medium format)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (650 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Pentax 645Z
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone port
27
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,550g)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax 645Z Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax 645Z
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax 645Z
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax 645Z
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Introduced 2020-02-11 2014-04-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX PRIME III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Medium format
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 51 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 8256 x 6192
Max native ISO 25600 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 27
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax 645AF2
Available lenses 107 6
Focal length multiplier 2.1 0.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.85x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/125 seconds
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 pounds) 1550g (3.42 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 156 x 117 x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 101
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 4505
Other
Battery life 420 images 650 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at release $1,800 $5,024