• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Canon SL2 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Canon SL2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Thinner
    49 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M5 III
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  • Body Only (Black)
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  • Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Silver)
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Review Excerpt

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

  • Read our Canon SL2 Review

  • Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.

  • Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SL2
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3400

Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon D3400
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon D3500
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Olympus E-M5 III
Canon SL3
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon SL3

Compared to Panasonic G100

Canon SL2
Panasonic G100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon SL2 vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Canon SL2
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $630
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $630
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

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