• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Leica CL advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Leica CL

  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $6995
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18mm lens (Black)
All CL Deals

Your purchases support this site

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

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Fujifilm X-Pro2

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Olympus E-M5 III
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6500

Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A6500
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A6500

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Olympus E-M5 III
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Compared to Panasonic G100

Leica CL
Panasonic G100
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica CL 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

Leica CL
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

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

Compare Other Cameras?