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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Sony NEX-5R, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was unveiled 7 years after the NEX-5R which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the E-M1 III scores against the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony NEX-5R

 E-M1 III NEX-5R 
LaunchedFebruary 2020August 2012Newer by 91 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus E-M1 III

 NEX-5R E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-5R

 E-M1 III NEX-5R 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III offers outside 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 NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 III versus Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the NEX-5R.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and NEX-5R is 67 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specifications. The image underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and NEX-5R.

Plainly, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M1 III will produce greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
77
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography details
Sony NEX-5R Street photography details
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
80
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
68
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
79
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
73
includes touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography features
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic port
31
built-in touchscreen
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-02-11 2012-08-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 99
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 276 gr (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life 420 photographs 330 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Retail pricing $1,800 $750