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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1

Portability
67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
82 Features
93 Overall
86

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and a1 (50MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 III was unveiled 11 months prior to the a1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-M1 III grades versus the a1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 E-M1 III a1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Olympus E-M1 III

		

		

			
 a1 E-M1 III 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2020Fresher by 11 months
Screen resolution1440k1037kSharper screen (+403k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony a1

		

		

			
 E-M1 III a1 
Manually focus  Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
When you are going to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with physical 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 a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 III vs the a1.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 size comparison
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and a1 is 67 and 61 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and a1.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will give more detail having an extra 30MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older E-M1 III is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography factors
Sony a1 Portrait photography factors
77
 has manual focus
 decent sensor resolution (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 features face detect autofocus
 exports RAW formats
89
 has manual focus
 above average flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
 megapixel count fantastic (50 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 supports face detect focus
 delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
 Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
78
 fully articulated screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW formats
 provides touch focus
 environment sealing
 good ISO range (25,600)
79
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 delivers RAW files
 supports touch focus
 environment sealing
 great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
81
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 high max fps (60.0 fps)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (20MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 features tracking focus
 environment sealing
 comes with phase detect autofocus
91
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 high max frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count fantastic (50MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 supports tracking focus
 environment sealing
 great battery life (530 shots)
 supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Sony a1 Travel photography advice
79
 environment sealing
 supports bluetooth
 provides touch focus
 decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
 selfie friendly screen
74
 great battery life (530 per charge)
 environment sealing
 supports bluetooth
 supports touch focus
 megapixel count fantastic (50MP)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
81
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 doesnt have low pass filter
 good ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW formats
 environment sealing
 has dual storage slots
88
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Sony E mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count fantastic (50 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 great high ISO (32,000)
 delivers RAW files
 environment sealing
 great battery life (530 per charge)
 2 card slots
Photography Glossary
Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
 Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
79
 selfie friendly screen
 touchscreen capability
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detect autofocus
 high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 does have microphone jack
37
 touch screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 supports face detect focus
 video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
 comes with microphone support
 does not have a selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony a1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2020-02-11 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos    
Min enhanced ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
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 107 133
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in 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
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/400s
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
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 photos 530 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 feature    
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $1,800 $6,498