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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX20V, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and HX20V (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 III was manufactured 7 years later than the HX20V and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the HX20V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony HX20V

 E-M1 III HX20V 
IntroducedFebruary 2020July 2012More recent by 93 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k922kClearer screen (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus E-M1 III

 HX20V E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX20V

 E-M1 III HX20V 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with outside 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) while the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX20V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 III against the HX20V.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and HX20V is 67 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and HX20V.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will result in extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
77
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography info
Sony HX20V Street photography info
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features touch focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
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)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Sony HX20V Travel photography advice
79
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX20V
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-02-11 2012-07-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 9
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 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 range no built-in flash 7.10 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, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 images 320 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual One
Launch cost $1,800 $397