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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
81
Features
93
Overall
85

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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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
88
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
90
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
73
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
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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
36
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