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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(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
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Renewed by OM System OM-5
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A99, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the A99 (24MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and A99 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M5 III was announced 6 years after the A99 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-M5 III matches up versus the A99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Sony A99

 E-M5 III A99 
LaunchedOctober 2019December 2012Newer by 84 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 A99 E-M5 III 
Display resolution1229k1040kSharper display (+189k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A99

 E-M5 III A99 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III has external measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III against the A99.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and A99 is 80 and 57 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and A99.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A99 will provide extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 III is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
82
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography advice
Sony A99 Street photography advice
83
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography factors
Sony A99 Sports photography factors
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (310 shots)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Sony A99
77
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
offers focus by touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery power (310 shots)
60
environment proofing
good resolution (24MP)
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (500 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery power (310 shots)
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
Vlogging with Sony A99
84
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone port
76
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Sony A99
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIISony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2019-10-17 2012-12-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lbs) 812 grams (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 310 photos 500 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Retail price $1,199 $1,998