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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Renewed by OM System OM-5
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Old Model is Sony RX100 III
  • Successor is Sony RX100 V
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is relatively well matched but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and RX100 IV (1") enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-M5 III was introduced 4 years after the RX100 IV which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-M5 III grades vs the RX100 IV when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Sony RX100 IV

 E-M5 III RX100 IV 
AnnouncedOctober 2019June 2015More modern by 53 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Olympus E-M5 III

 RX100 IV E-M5 III 
Screen resolution1229k1040kSharper screen (+189k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony RX100 IV

 E-M5 III RX100 IV 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III has got outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M5 III against the RX100 IV.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and RX100 IV is 80 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and RX100 IV.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III features the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The more recent E-M5 III should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography factors
Sony RX100 IV Street photography factors
83
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography advice
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (30.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
bad battery (310 shots)
68
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (16.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography info
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography info
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (310 CIPA)
86
lighter than others in class (298g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 IV
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery (310 per charge)
74
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging advice
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging advice
84
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
81
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others in class (298g)
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Sony RX100 IV
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Category Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2019-10-17 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type MOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 30.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/2000 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, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 414 grams (0.91 pounds) 298 grams (0.66 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 562
Other
Battery life 310 photos 280 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $1,199 $898