Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
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89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-M5 II
- Updated by OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Launched June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-M5 III was brought out 9 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-M5 III grades against the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Sony NEX-3
| E-M5 III | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | October 2019 | June 2010 | Fresher by 114 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating display | |
| Display resolution | 1040k | 920k | Clearer display (+120k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus E-M5 III
| NEX-3 | E-M5 III |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony NEX-3
| E-M5 III | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III provides physical measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 III versus the NEX-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and NEX-3 is 80 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and NEX-3.
Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 III due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus E-M5 III will show greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The younger E-M5 III should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2019-10-17 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VIII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | MOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.4 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 226.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 121 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,040k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 secs | - |
| Continuous shutter rate | 30.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/160 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 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 414g (0.91 pounds) | 297g (0.65 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 310 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLN-1 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Retail pricing | $1,199 | $0 |