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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 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
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax W90, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and W90 (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and W90 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 III was released 10 years later than the W90 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1 III matches up against the W90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax W90

 E-M1 III W90 
ReleasedFebruary 2020February 2010Fresher by 122 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 W90 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax W90

 E-M1 III W90 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III features physical measurements 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 Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax W90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III against the W90.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and W90 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and W90.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will give greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography factors
Pentax W90 Portrait photography factors
77
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
54
weather proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
24
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography features
Pentax W90 Travel photography features
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
64
weather proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Pentax W90 Landscape photography details
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
37
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Pentax W90 Vlogging details
79
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone jack
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax W90
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax Optio W90
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax Optio W90
Type Pro Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2020-02-11 2010-02-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic IX Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 9
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash options 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, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
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 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 164 grams (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Price at release $1,800 $120