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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Renewed by OM System OM-5
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Released July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A7R III
  • Successor is Sony A7R V
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony A7R IV, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and A7R IV (Full frame) posses different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 III was revealed 4 months after the A7R IV and they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M5 III grades versus the A7R IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Sony A7R IV

 E-M5 III A7R IV 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Olympus E-M5 III

 A7R IV E-M5 III 
Display resolution1440k1040kClearer display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A7R IV

 E-M5 III A7R IV 
ReleasedOctober 2019July 2019Same age
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III provides outer 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 Sony A7R IV has dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony A7R IV in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 III against the A7R IV.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and A7R IV is 80 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and A7R IV.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A7R IV will provide you with more detail because of its extra 41 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography details
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography details
77
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
88
you can focus manually
high megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Street photography camera
83
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (310 per charge)
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery (670 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery power (310 shots)
74
great battery (670 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
high megapixels (61 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography information
Sony A7R IV Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
terrible battery power (310 per charge)
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery (670 per charge)
two card slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
84
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
37
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A7R IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIISony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Sony Alpha A7R IV
Type Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2019-10-17 2019-07-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type MOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 61 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 9504 x 6336
Max native ISO 25600 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 567
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lbs) 665 gr (1.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 99
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 3344
Other
Battery life 310 shots 670 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 Two
Pricing at launch $1,199 $3,498