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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV 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
  • Launched February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced October 2021
  • Previous Model is Sony A7 III
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and A7 IV (33MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and A7 IV (Full frame) provide different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was released 20 months earlier than the A7 IV making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 III grades against the A7 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M1 III A7 IV 

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

 A7 IV E-M1 III 
AnnouncedOctober 2021February 2020Newer by 20 months
Display resolution1440k1037kClearer display (+403k dot)

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

 E-M1 III A7 IV 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully articulatedFully Articulated display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III provides external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony A7 IV has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 III versus Sony A7 IV in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III and the A7 IV.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and A7 IV is 67 and 61 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and A7 IV.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A7 IV will provide more detail as a result of its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 III will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Sony A7 IV Portrait photography details
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
81
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (33MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Sony A7 IV
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
84
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (33MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
good battery pack (600 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Travel photography camera
79
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
80
good battery pack (600 shots)
environment proof
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count excellent (33 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Landscape photography camera
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
84
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (33MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good battery pack (600 per charge)
has double storage slots
doesn't have liveview
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging information
Sony A7 IV Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
80
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic port
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7 IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha A7 IV
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2020-02-11 2021-10-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 33 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 7008 x 4672
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 759
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 172
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 3,690 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 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 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 699 grams (1.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 600 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots 2 2
Retail cost $1,800 $2,500