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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Replacement is OM System OM-5
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is pretty comparable but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 III was brought out 5 years after the K-3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M5 III grades versus the K-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Pentax K-3

 E-M5 III K-3 
ReleasedOctober 2019April 2014Newer by 68 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 K-3 E-M5 III 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-3

 E-M5 III K-3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III provides external measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 III against the K-3.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and K-3 is 80 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 III and K-3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 will show more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 III should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
79
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
83
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (310 per charge)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
terrible battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
77
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
low battery pack (310 CIPA)
60
environment proof
MP count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography highlights
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
low battery pack (310 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
84
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Pentax K-3
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2019-10-17 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Prime III
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 310 images 560 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One 2
Price at launch $1,199 $639