Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A57

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A57, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and A57 (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and A57 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 III was manufactured 7 years after the A57 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Sony SLT-A57. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 III Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III has got exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A57 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the A57.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and A57 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The image underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and A57.

To sum up, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M1 III will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III will have an edge in sensor technology.