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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Announced February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-M1 III versus Pentax K-3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is very similar but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 5 years later than the K-3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax K-3

 E-M1 III K-3 
RevealedFebruary 2020April 2014More recent by 72 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 K-3 E-M1 III 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-3

 E-M1 III K-3 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display resolution1037k1037kExact same display resolution

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III versus Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III vs the K-3.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and K-3 is 67 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and K-3.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will offer greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
77
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
79
environment proof
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery pack (560 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-3
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-3
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-02-11 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 27
Cross focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 420 shots 560 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $1,800 $639