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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Announced October 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • New Model is OM System OM-5
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus PEN-F, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras and both are built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 III was introduced 3 years later than the PEN-F and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-M5 III grades versus the PEN-F with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-M5 III PEN-F 
RevealedOctober 2019January 2016More recent by 46 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-M5 III

 PEN-F E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus PEN-F

 E-M5 III PEN-F 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III has exterior 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) and the Olympus PEN-F has proportions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus PEN-F in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the PEN-F.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and PEN-F is 80 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and PEN-F.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you may want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern E-M5 III will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Olympus PEN-F
77
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography features
Olympus PEN-F Street photography features
83
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
84
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography features
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography features
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery (310 CIPA)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Olympus PEN-F
77
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (310 per charge)
75
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
bad battery (310 per charge)
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging info
Olympus PEN-F Vlogging info
84
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic jack
78
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIOlympus PEN-F
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Olympus PEN-F
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2019-10-17 2016-01-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
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 PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lb) 427 grams (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 894
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $1,199 $1,000