Olympus E-M5 Mark III vs PEN-F: Which Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Suits Your Photography Best?

As someone who's spent countless hours testing mirrorless cameras across genres - from studio portraits to rugged wildlife photography - the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Olympus PEN-F represent two compelling options within the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) ecosystem. Both share that prized MFT lens mount and 20MP resolution but occupy distinct niches with different looks, features, and capabilities. In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll draw from hands-on experience, meticulous technical testing, and real-world shooting to help you decide which fits your style, budget, and workflow.

Let’s start by sizing them up - literally.

Handling and Ergonomics: The Feel in Your Hands

Look at these side-by-side, and you’ll immediately notice the PEN-F embraces a classic rangefinder aesthetic - compact, slim, and stylish - while the E-M5 III echoes a more traditional DSLR-like design with pronounced grips and robust controls. The E-M5 III’s dimensions are 125 x 85 x 50mm, slightly chunkier but optimized for extended handheld use. By contrast, the PEN-F measures 125 x 72 x 37mm, noticeably slimmer, making it ideal for street and travel shooters valuing portability.

What this means in practice: I found the E-M5 III’s bigger grip and more substantial buttons easier to handle during long shoots, especially when paired with heavier telephoto lenses for wildlife or sports. The PEN-F is sleek and perfect for casual carry, though the slimmer grips might challenge those with larger hands or when wearing gloves outdoors.

Both sport fully articulated 3-inch touchscreens, enhancing versatility, but the E-M5 III’s slightly higher resolution (1.04 million dots vs. PEN-F’s 1.03 million) makes menus and playback just a tad clearer - a subtle but appreciated difference in bright conditions.

The control layouts further highlight their personality differences. The E-M5 III features a classic command dial atop, with dedicated dials for ISO and exposure compensation, aiding fast manual adjustments. The PEN-F ditches some physical dials for a more minimalist interface, relying more on customizable buttons and a unique color dial for film simulation effects and monochrome controls. If tactile control precision is your thing, the E-M5 III has a slight edge. For creative experimentation with in-camera styles, the PEN-F shines.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tech Meets Artistry

Here’s where things get interesting. Both cameras use 20MP Four Thirds sensors of nearly identical size - roughly 17.3 x 13 mm. However, the E-M5 III leverages the TruePic VIII processor, Olympus’s latest image engine as of its 2019 launch, whereas the PEN-F runs on the older TruePic VII from its 2016 debut.

In practical terms, this upgrade yields improved noise control at higher ISOs, better dynamic range rendering, and more refined color reproduction on the E-M5 III. During my lab tests under standardized lighting, the E-M5 III delivered cleaner images at ISO1600 and above, retaining more shadow detail - crucial for landscape and night photographers.

The PEN-F, though slightly behind on noise performance, deserves credit for its exceptional color fidelity, especially with Olympus’s acclaimed in-camera film simulations. Its analog-era body design is complemented by image quality that feels authentically “film-like,” popular with portrait and street shooters craving that retro aesthetic.

Both cameras have anti-aliasing filters, which slightly soften the image compared to models without, but this helps reduce moiré, especially useful for textile or architecture photography.

The single megapixel count means you get a maximum resolution of 5184x3888 pixels, ample for most prints and crops. For pixel-peepers, the subtle processing differences affect perceived sharpness, but Olympus lenses - of which there are 107 native options - deliver excellent overall clarity.

Autofocus Systems: Eye on the Prize

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break a shoot, especially with moving subjects. The E-M5 III’s AF system offers 121 phase-detection points - significantly more than the PEN-F’s 81 contrast-detection points. Additionally, it includes hybrid AF capabilities mixing phase and contrast for quicker, more reliable locking.

In the field, I found the E-M5 III markedly faster and more confident tracking birds mid-flight or athletes darting across a court. Its expanded AF coverage and eye detection augment portrait precision, nailing sharp focus on eyes even at wide apertures producing dreamy bokeh.

The PEN-F’s contrast-only AF requires a moment longer to lock, making rapid action shooting more challenging. That said, its accuracy in controlled environments like studio portraits remains excellent once focus is achieved.

Neither camera supports animal eye AF, which is a pity if you’re a dedicated wildlife photographer; still, the E-M5 III’s superior continuous AF and burst rate of up to 30 fps (versus PEN-F’s 10 fps) serve well for capturing fleeting moments or dynamic sports.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Wild

If you intend to shoot outdoors frequently, build robustness matters. The E-M5 III features full weather sealing against dust and moisture, designed to survive rain and cold conditions (though not fully waterproof or shockproof).

The PEN-F, while solidly built with a metal body, lacks environmental sealing, making it less suited for harsh conditions without external protection. I’ve personally tested the E-M5 III on damp hikes and light snow, and it held up impressively.

This makes the E-M5 III the clear choice for landscape, wildlife, or adventurous travel photography where weather unpredictability is a factor.

LCD and Viewfinder Quality: Seeing is Believing

Both models include fully articulated 3-inch LCDs with touch functionality, ideal for varied shooting angles - from waist level to overhead. The E-M5 III’s touchscreen feels more responsive and supports features like touch-to-focus and menu navigation fluidly.

Electronic viewfinders (EVFs) are virtually identical in resolution at 2.36 million dots, but the E-M5 III’s 0.68x magnification offers a slightly larger view compared to the PEN-F’s 0.62x, assisting precise framing and manual focus.

Whether you rely on the EVF or LCD depends on shooting style, but again, the E-M5 III nudges ahead with a more ergonomic eyecup and customizable display overlays.

Photo Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Before summarizing technical specs, it helps to relate capabilities to real photography genres.

Portrait Photography

Both cameras deliver beautiful skin tones, thanks to Olympus’s color science. The PEN-F’s in-camera art filters and monochrome modes lend an edge for creative portraiture with retro vibes. The E-M5 III, however, pulls ahead with superior eye detection AF and better low-light performance, plus richer bokeh with compatible fast lenses.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and sensor performance tip the scales toward the E-M5 III. Coupled with the rugged weather sealing, it’s ideal for shooting HDR panoramas and long exposures outdoors. That improved processor also enhances highlight recovery and shadow detail in raw files.

Wildlife Photography

AF speed, burst rate, and tracking are paramount. The E-M5 III’s 30 fps continuous shooting and hybrid autofocus make capturing fast wildlife moves easier. Its larger grip supports heavy telephotos, which the PEN-F’s form factor makes less comfortable for prolonged use.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife needs, the E-M5 III is better equipped to nail sharp sports shots with its responsive AF system and mechanical shutter cap at 1/8000s plus an electronic curtain capable of 1/32000s for bright venues.

Street Photography

Here, the PEN-F’s compact, low-profile design shines. Its stylish form invites less attention, useful when candid expression and spontaneous shots matter. The E-M5 III is bulkier but still reasonably sized for street use; it also offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which compensates for longer shutter speeds in dim light.

Macro Photography

Both cameras support focus bracketing and focus stacking, critical for macro. The E-M5 III’s better IS and faster AF deliver slight advantages for handheld macro shots, while the PEN-F’s built-in creative filters can add artistic flair to nature close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

The E-M5 III edges out with superior high ISO performance and a faster processor that better manages noise. It also supports longer exposures aided by its weather sealing, which is a boon in chilly night conditions.

Video Capabilities

The E-M5 III supports 4K video at 24p with a robust bitrate of 237 Mbps and a microphone input for better sound recording. The PEN-F maxes out at 1080p full HD without mic input, limiting its appeal for serious videographers.

Neither camera offers advanced video features like 10-bit color or in-body headphone monitoring, but the E-M5 III’s latest codec support and higher resolution place it well ahead.

Travel Photography

Here, size, weight, versatility, and battery life matter most. Despite the E-M5 III’s chunkier body (414g vs. PEN-F’s 427g), its advanced stabilization and weather sealing make it the more versatile traveler’s companion. Battery life is roughly similar at 310-330 shots per charge, typical for MFT bodies.

Technical Breakdown: Inside the Cameras

Sensor and Processor

The E-M5 III’s TruePic VIII processor efficiently handles improved noise reduction algorithms and dynamic range performance. Interestingly, both cameras retain an anti-aliasing filter, which you might not see on some higher-res models but helps mitigate moiré patterns.

Autofocus

With 121 AF points including hybrid phase detection on E-M5 III vs. 81 contrast points on PEN-F, the newer M5 easily wins in speed and continuous tracking.

Stabilization

Both have Olympus’s 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS, rated at up to 4.5-5 stops of shake correction depending on lens pairing.

Playback and Interface

Both LCDs are 3-inch fully articulated touchscreens with similar resolutions, but the newer E-M5 III’s touch response and menu speed feel noticeably improved during use.

Connectivity

Bluetooth availability on the E-M5 III aids quicker pairing for tethering or image transfer, a perk for workflow efficiency.

Battery Life & Storage

Both use the BLN-1 battery pack and single SD card slots (SD/SDHC/SDXC), with UHS-II support on E-M5 III improving write speeds when cards allow.

Real-World Image Samples: Seeing the Results

Olympus E M5 III front Olympus E M5 III screen back Olympus PEN F front Olympus PEN F screen back

In practical shooting scenarios, the differences between these two cameras become tangible. The E-M5 III’s images show consistently cleaner high-ISO performance, sharper details, and balanced contrast. The PEN-F’s images pop with vibrant color, ideal for artistic projects.

Portraits benefit from the E-M5 III’s eye AF precision, yielding tack-sharp gaze focus and smooth bokeh transitions. Landscape files from E-M5 III preserve highlight detail better when pushed in post-production.

Street shots with the PEN-F seem more spontaneous and organic, partly thanks to its discreet styling and intuitive controls for exposure and creativity.

Performance Rankings: The Scorecard

The E-M5 III scores strongly across all core categories: image quality, autofocus, handling, and video. The PEN-F holds respectable marks but trails primarily due to older processor tech and AF limitations.

Specialized Use Case Scores: Who Excels Where?

Some highlights:

• Wildlife and Sports: Strongly favor E-M5 III, thanks to AF and burst.
• Street and Travel: PEN-F favored for compactness and style.
• Landscape and Night: E-M5 III leads with sensor and sealing.
• Portrait: Close, with PEN-F slightly favored for artistic effects, E-M5 III for focus precision.
• Video: E-M5 III dominates with 4K support and microphone input.

Worth Considering: Lens Ecosystem and Accessories

Both share the Micro Four Thirds mount and access to over 100 native lenses - from ultra-wide to long telephotos. This lens ecosystem is a major strength, with compact primes, weather-resistant zooms, and specialized macro options readily available.

Given the E-M5 III’s weather sealing, pairing it with Olympus’s weatherproof Pro lenses ensures a fully rugged package. The PEN-F suits those investing in compact primes and artistic lenses for casual or street use.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, the E-M5 III priced around $1200 body-only versus the PEN-F’s $1000 body price point. The $200 premium is justified by newer tech - the stronger processor, superior AF, 4K video, and weather resistance.

If budget is tight and you prefer style and classic design over cutting-edge features, the PEN-F remains an excellent value. For more versatile and future-proof capabilities, the E-M5 III represents better long-term investment.

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Mirrorless Camera Should You Choose?

If you want my personal recommendation: For most enthusiasts and professionals seeking a well-rounded, rugged camera that delivers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and solid video capabilities, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the better choice. It’s reliable for demanding portrait sessions, unpredictable wildlife outings, landscape excursions, and even casual travel shooting thanks to its compact yet grippy body and comprehensive feature set.

However, for photographers drawn to elegant design, street-savvy portability, and rich in-camera creative effects, the Olympus PEN-F retains a timeless charm and artistic appeal that numerous shooters appreciate. It’s a camera that encourages deliberate, thoughtful shooting rather than rapid bursts of action.

No matter which you pick, you tap into the prolific Micro Four Thirds lens lineup and Olympus’s celebrated image stabilization technology, ensuring high-quality results for years.

Happy shooting!

This review draws upon extensive hands-on testing sessions, controlled imaging lab results, and real-world field shooting to provide balanced, expert insights tailored for both photo enthusiasts and working professionals. See my accompanying video review for live demonstrations and sample footage.