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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7

Portability
67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78 Imaging
71 Features
80 Overall
74

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the A7 (24MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and A7 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 6 years after the A7 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-M1 III scores against the A7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony A7

		

		

			
 E-M1 III A7 
RevealedFebruary 2020January 2014More modern by 74 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Take selfies
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Olympus E-M1 III

		

		

			
 A7 E-M1 III 
Display resolution1230k1037kSharper display (+193k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7

		

		

			
 E-M1 III A7 
Manual focus  More accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III has got exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the A7.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and A7 is 67 and 78 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and A7.
As you can see, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A7 will result in more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III is going to have an edge in sensor technology.
	
			Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography features
Sony A7 Portrait photography features
77
 has manual focus
 decent MP (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 includes face detect focusing
 exports RAW files
82
 has manual focus
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 supports face detect focusing
 saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Sony A7
78
 screen can move to multiple angles
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW files
 provides focus by touch
 weather proof
 very good ISO range (25,600)
79
 has a tilting screen
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 saves RAW formats
 environment sealing
 lighter than competitors in class (474g)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
 Sony A7 as a Sports photography camera
81
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 silent shooting (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent MP (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 includes tracking focus
 weather proof
 comes with phase detect AF
66
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 environment sealing
 comes with phase detect AF
 slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
 no image stabilization
 low battery (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography information
Sony A7 Travel photography information
79
 weather proof
 has bluetooth
 provides focus by touch
 decent MP (20MP)
 selfie friendly screen
69
 lighter than competitors in class (474 grams)
 environment sealing
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 low battery (340 per charge)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Sony A7 Landscape photography information
81
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 decent sized screen (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent MP (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 no low pass filter
 very good ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 weather proof
 has double storage slots
76
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Sony E mount)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 saves RAW formats
 environment sealing
 no image stabilization
 low battery (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging factors
Sony A7 Vlogging factors
79
 selfie friendly screen
 touchscreen functionality
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 includes face detect focusing
 high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
 does have mic port
36
 supports face detect focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does have mic jack
 lighter than competitors in class (474g)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly display
 no image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha A7
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-02-11 2014-01-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 50
RAW format    
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Total focus points 121 117
Cross type focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Display technology - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt 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 no built-in flash
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input    
Headphone input    
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
Environmental seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 580g (1.28 pounds) 474g (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 420 pictures 340 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting   With downloadable app
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Pricing at launch $1,800 $798