Olympus E-M5 III vs Samsung NX5: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for the Informed Shooter

Choosing between cameras can feel like sifting through a dense fog of technical jargon and marketing fluff. With over 15 years shooting and testing everything from entry-level to pro gear, I get it - you want honest, down-to-earth insights that translate specs into real outcomes behind the lens. Today, I'll give you an in-depth, hands-on comparison of two mirrorless cameras from very different eras and philosophies: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, announced in late 2019, and the much older Samsung NX5 from 2010.

These are cameras designed for quite different photographers, but curiosity and budget often throw them side by side in online deep-dives. Whether you’re upgrading, eyeing a budget secondary body, or hunting for a reliable daily driver, this comparison will highlight practical strengths, quirks, and “club for thumbs” moments. I’ve tested both extensively and will walk you through their performance across key photography styles, technical features, and workflow factors.

Let’s jump right in and see how the compact Olympus E-M5 III stacks up against Samsung’s now-legacy NX5.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

The initial tactile experience is often overlooked, but it’s crucial. Cameras spend most time in your hands, not on store shelves.

The Olympus E-M5 III is an advanced mirrorless model with a beautifully compact SLR-style body designed with ergonomic curves and weather sealing. Its physical dimensions measure 125x85x50mm and it weighs a featherlight 414 grams including the battery. The magnesium alloy body and textured grip encourage comfortable handling for extended sessions, whether you’re jogging after kids or framing landscapes.

In contrast, the Samsung NX5 offers a slightly bigger footprint at 123x87x40mm, and it’s heavier at 499 grams without a battery grip. Despite the size similarity, the NX5 feels boxier and less refined. The plastic body is sturdy but lacks the premium feel or weatherproofing that Olympus provides. Ergonomically, it does the job but is not slick enough for intensive shooting days.

Both sport 3-inch LCD screens, but the Olympus has a fully articulated touchscreen with a crisp resolution of 1,040K dots, while the Samsung screen is fixed and low-res at 230K dots with no touch support. The E-M5 III immediately feels like a more modern, versatile tool.

Looking down from the top reveals more of this design philosophy.

Olympus’ top plate is clean but packed with user-friendly controls and an illuminated mode dial - perfect for quick setting changes on the fly. The Samsung modeled a classic minimalist approach and the more junior audience was likely less concerned with elaborate schemes.

Bottom line on handling:
If you shoot for hours or need rugged reliability outdoors, the Olympus E-M5 III’s size, superior build quality, and articulated touchscreen deliver major usability benefits. The NX5 works fine for casual shooting but feels dated and clunky by comparison.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Battle: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

One of the most fundamental factors affecting image quality is sensor size and technology. This is where the cameras’ lineage and era show clearly.

Olympus uses a Four Thirds MOS sensor, sized at 17.4 x 13 mm, with a total sensor area of around 226 mm² - smaller than APS-C, but packed with 20 megapixels. The sensor is paired with the TruePic VIII processor, Olympus’s acclaimed engine that balances noise reduction and detail retention elegantly. It also sports a low native ISO of 200 and extends down to 64 (boosted), reaching a ceiling of 25,600 ISO.

Samsung’s NX5 uses a larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, delivering a larger sensor area of around 365 mm² but with only 15 megapixels. This sensor was advanced for 2010 but lacks the refinements of later designs or Olympus’s optimized processing pipeline. ISO maxes out at 3,200 native, which feels limited by today’s standards.

When put to the test at base ISO under controlled studio lighting, the NX5 produces imagery with wider dynamic range and better depth of field control thanks to the APS-C size. But Olympus’s sensor and processor squeeze excellent detail and relatively clean tonal transitions typical of Micro Four Thirds for such a compact system. The Olympus also includes a sensor-based 5-axis stabilization system, hugely beneficial in hand-held low-light shooting and macro work - something the Samsung lacks.

Here’s a visualization comparing sensor sizes and implication for image quality:

Real-world verdict on image quality:

• Landscape and portrait photographers favor the NX5’s APS-C sensor for superior bokeh control and smoother gradients - especially at low ISOs.
• However, Olympus’s superior image stabilization and updated processing can yield sharper handheld shots in challenging light and greater flexibility in mid-range ISO shooting.
• Professionals looking for robust noise performance or color fidelity will lean toward Olympus, despite the smaller sensor.
• Samsung holds nostalgic appeal but needs perfect lighting to shine.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Moving Targets

Autofocus (AF) speed and tracking can make or break certain genres like wildlife, sports, and candid street photography.

The Olympus E-M5 III employs hybrid autofocus technology, combining contrast detection with phase detection, giving it 121 focus points over a wider frame distribution. It supports continuous autofocus (AF-C) with face detection, eye detection, and tracking - essential in modern mirrorless cameras for sharp portraits and fast-moving subjects. Burst shooting maxes out at a blistering 30 frames per second at reduced resolution or with electronic shutter, and mechanical shutter tops out at 1/8000s.

Samsung’s NX5 utilizes a contrast-detection-only AF system with just 15 focus points and no phase detection. Face detection is built-in, but eye and animal AF are absent (not surprising given its release era). Its continuous shooting is limited to a sluggish 3 FPS, and max shutter speed is capped at 1/4000s.

Under practical field testing - tracking kids in motion or quick street hunting - the Olympus simply outperforms with more confident lock-on, less hunting, and smoother focusing transitions. Samsung’s autofocus shows noticeable lag and frequent misses when subjects move unpredictably.

Summary on performance for action-oriented shooters:

• For wildlife and sports photographers, the Olympus's AF system and frame rate offer clear advantages.
• The NX5 is best suited for static or slow-moving subjects like landscapes or staged portraits.

Display and User Interface: Touchscreen Versatility vs Basic OLED

The rear LCD is a primary interaction point and influences ease of composition and menu navigation.

The Olympus features a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen at 1,040K dots, easily viewable outdoors, enabling touch focus acquisition, gesture controls, and a selfie-friendly flip-out mode. This screen significantly speeds up manual focusing and allows creative angles without gymnastics.

The Samsung NX5’s fixed 3-inch screen is an Active Matrix OLED with poor 230K resolution. While bright, it falls short on clarity and offers no touch controls. This can frustrate photographers accustomed to modern UI responsiveness.

The Olympus’s on-screen menus are clean and logically organized, including customizable function buttons and external dials for quick adjustments. Samsung’s interface is more basic and feels dated, relying heavily on on-body buttons and less intuitive menus.

Built Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Matters

The Olympus E-M5 III is rated for environmental sealing against moisture and dust, a winning feature for landscape or travel photographers who brave adverse weather. Magnesium alloy construction boosts durability without bulk.

Samsung’s NX5, in contrast, sports a plastic body with no weather resistance tendency. It requires more cautious handling and shelter from rain or dust.

For professionals or enthusiasts who shoot outdoors regularly, Olympus’s ruggedness justifies the price premium on its own.

Lens Ecosystem Compatibility: Freedom to Grow

Lens availability is a critical factor influencing system longevity.

Olympus taps into the vibrant and mature Micro Four Thirds lens mount system. This ecosystem boasts over 100 lenses spanning primes, zooms, specialty optics, and super-telephotos from Olympus and third parties like Panasonic, Sigma, and Voigtländer. Many lenses feature built-in stabilization and high optical quality, plus the sensor multiplier of around 2.0x offers versatility in reach.

Samsung NX mount, sadly, is a dead ecosystem. The camera only supports 32 native lenses - mostly now obsolete and out of production. Though manual adapters exist, that adds complexity and compromises AF speed.

In practical terms, for users planning to grow their kit or invest in quality glass, Olympus offers a no-brainer advantage.

Battery Life and Storage: Everyday Shooting Reliability

Battery power and storage convenience affect workflow, especially on longer trips.

The Olympus uses the BLN-1 battery rated for 310 shots per charge, which aligns with typical mirrorless figures. The battery is small and lightweight, and USB charging is supported. It has a single SD card slot supporting fast UHS-II cards.

The Samsung NX5 offers a longer battery life as per its specs - 400 shots per charge, which is respectable for its class - and also takes one SD/SDHC card. However, the battery model (BP1130) is long discontinued and harder to find replacements for.

While neither camera is exceptional in this regard, Olympus’s modern USB charging and compact power solution usually integrate better into a travel or event photographer’s routine.

Connectivity: Modern Wireless vs Outdated Wired

Connectivity options facilitate fast sharing, remote control, and tethering.

Olympus E-M5 III has abundant options: built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an HDMI port, and USB 2.0 for file transfer and tethering. Bluetooth pairing works well for quick image transfers to mobile devices or remote triggering through Olympus’s app apps.

Samsung NX5 has no wireless connectivity, only HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. This lack severely limits flexibility in today’s interconnected workflows, especially for social media or studio shooting.

Video Capabilities: High-Res vs Basic HD

The Olympus boasts 4K UHD video at 24p (4096 x 2160) with a 237 Mbps bitrate using H.264 codec and linear PCM audio, making it appealing for hybrid shooters or casual filmmakers. It offers microphone input but lacks a headphone jack, so audio monitoring is limited.

Samsung restricts video to 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps, recorded in H.264. This is fine for casual home video but miles behind modern standards.

Photography Genres in Real-World Use

Here’s how both cameras fare across specific disciplines, based on my hands-on sessions:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: Eye-detection AF and 121 focus points help keep subjects tack-sharp. The smaller sensor slightly limits bokeh creaminess compared to APS-C, but Olympus’s color science and lens sharpness produce lifelike skin tones.
• Samsung: The larger APS-C sensor provides smoother background blur and natural skin tones, but less AF precision and no eye-detect make nail-sharp portraits harder to get consistently.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: Compact size, weather sealing, and in-body stabilization make it a reliable hiker’s choice. Dynamic range is good but limited by smaller sensor size. High-resolution modes are absent but focus stacking is supported.
• Samsung: The APS-C sensor yields richer tonal gradation and slightly better resolution, but bulkier lenses and no weather sealing limit outdoors use.

Wildlife & Sports

• Olympus: Fast 30 fps burst and hybrid AF with tracking give it an edge in fast action. Sensor stabilization aids hand-held telephoto sharpness.
• Samsung: AF and burst speed are slow, better avoided for wildlife/sports beyond casual snapshots.

Street Photography

• Olympus: Smaller size, silent electronic shutter (up to 1/32000s), and excellent high-ISO performance equip it well for discrete shooting. Articulated screen also aids composing at odd angles.
• Samsung: Bulkier, louder shutter, low frame rate, and poor low-light ISO efficacy restrain candid street use. Fixed screen reduces flexibility.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: 5-axis IS dramatically aids close-up shots handheld. Focus bracketing and stacking are supported natively. A wide range of quality macro lenses available in Micro Four Thirds.
• Samsung: No stabilization or focus assist features make macro tricky. Lens options limited.

Night / Astro Photography

• Olympus: The TruePic VIII processing controls noise effectively up to ISO 3200-6400 usable range. Exposure bracketing and time lapse available for creative long exposures.
• Samsung: Limited ISO range and no stabilization restrict night capabilities; long exposures better on tripod for reduced noise.

Video

• Olympus: Suitable for enthusiast video shoots, 4K is sharp and stable.
• Samsung: Basic HD, no mic input and dated codec limit videography.

Travel Photography

• Olympus: Compact, lightweight, versatile lens ecosystem, weather sealed. Good battery life through USB charging.
• Samsung: Heavier, limited lens lineup, no weather resistance.

Professional Work

• Olympus: Supports raw shooting, focus stacking, bracketing, WB control, and sturdy build with fast storage cards.
• Samsung: Basic raw support but limited by dated features and hardware.

Pricing and Value: What Your Wallet Needs to Know

As of its launch, the Olympus E-M5 III body retailed around $1200 USD, reflecting its advanced features, weather sealing, and mature system.

Samsung NX5 originally sold for about $500, marking it as an entry-level mirrorless for newcomers at the time.

Today, the NX5 is generally available only used or through specialty sellers, with limited secondhand prices around $200-$300 - making it a cheapskate’s entry into mirrorless shooting, but one should expect compromises in usability and future support.

Olympus’s body still commands a premium, justified by its features and system longevity.

Summing Up: Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Olympus E M5 III front Olympus E M5 III screen back Samsung NX5 screen back

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

If you are serious about current photography, looking for reliability, and want a camera that keeps pace with today’s hybrid photo/video demands, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the clear winner. It delivers:

• Faster, more accurate autofocus
• Clean, stabilized image quality in various lighting
• Extensive, versatile lens options
• Advanced features like 4K video, weather sealing, and touch controls
• User-friendly handling for prolonged shoots

It's an excellent fit for enthusiasts, travel shooters, landscape photographers, and professionals wanting a compact backup body. While pricier, it’s an investment that pays off in shooting ease and image fidelity.

The Samsung NX5 mainly appeals to cheapskates, history buffs, or beginners curious about mirrorless technology circa 2010. It’s best for casual users shooting in good light, who want a no-frills, entry-level system without breaking the bank. Expect slower autofocus, lower ISO range, and limited system growth. Use it with patience and care.

Closing Thoughts

Having tested thousands of cameras across decades, I see the Olympus E-M5 III as a mature, well-rounded mirrorless system that suits most contemporary needs while honoring Olympus’s legacy in balanced compactness and rugged versatility.

Samsung’s NX5 is more of a snapshot in time - a reminder of earlier mirrorless struggles and simpler photographic dreams. It serves well as a historical curiosity but falls short for demanding modern workflows.

I hope this detailed comparison provides you solid footing to decide based on your style, budget, and shooting priorities. As you upgrade or build your kit, remember the camera is only one half of the equation; pairing it with good glass and mastering your craft will always be the greatest factors in creating impactful images.

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly, veteran gear tester