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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
63
Features
71
Overall
66

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Released February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Released December 2011
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-7, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the NEX-7 (24MP) is pretty similar but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and NEX-7 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was introduced 8 years later than the NEX-7 and that is quite a large gap as far as 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-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-M1 III scores against the NEX-7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony NEX-7

 E-M1 III NEX-7 
ReleasedFebruary 2020December 2011Fresher by 100 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 NEX-7 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-7

 E-M1 III NEX-7 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys exterior 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) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the NEX-7.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and NEX-7 is 67 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and NEX-7.

As you can tell, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-7 will deliver more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer E-M1 III should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography advice
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Sony NEX-7 Street photography information
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus by touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Sony NEX-7
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
61
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (430 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Sony NEX-7
79
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
70
great battery (430 CIPA)
good resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging advice
79
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone port
35
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony NEX-7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha NEX-7
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2020-02-11 2011-12-13
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 25
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes 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, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 400g (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 81
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1016
Other
Battery life 420 shots 430 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual 1
Cost at launch $1,800 $699