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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Launched October 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Replacement is OM System OM-5
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PM1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are designed by Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 III was unveiled 8 years later than the E-PM1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M5 III matches up against the E-PM1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-M5 III E-PM1 
IntroducedOctober 2019November 2011Fresher by 97 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 E-PM1 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PM1

 E-M5 III E-PM1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM1 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PM1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M5 III versus the E-PM1.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and E-PM1 is 80 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The visual here may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and E-PM1.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus E-M5 III to offer greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 III is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
83
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
weather proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (310 shots)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
77
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
45
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
84
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIOlympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-17 2011-11-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII TruePic VI
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 52
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 499
Other
Battery life 310 photographs 330 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $1,199 $499