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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV 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
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Introduced July 2019
  • Old Model is Sony A7R III
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R V
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7R IV, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and A7R IV (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 III was introduced 7 months after the A7R IV and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the A7R IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony A7R IV

 E-M1 III A7R IV 
IntroducedFebruary 2020July 2019More modern by 7 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Olympus E-M1 III

 A7R IV E-M1 III 
Screen resolution1440k1037kCrisper screen (+403k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7R IV

 E-M1 III A7R IV 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with 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) and the Sony A7R IV has proportions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7R IV in the latest Camera and 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 use at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III vs the A7R IV.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and A7R IV is 67 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The image below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and A7R IV.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A7R IV will resolve extra detail using its extra 41MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography details
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
88
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Sony A7R IV Street photography information
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography info
Sony A7R IV Sports photography info
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (670 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Travel photography highlights
79
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
74
great battery (670 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
fantastic megapixels (61MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
88
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (670 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
79
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone port
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A7R IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha A7R IV
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-02-11 2019-07-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Bionz X
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 20MP 61MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 9504 x 6336
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 567
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lb) 665 gr (1.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 3344
Other
Battery life 420 photos 670 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Two Two
Launch pricing $1,800 $3,498