• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica V-LUX 3 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Leica V-LUX 3

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1700*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Leica V-LUX 3
Olympus E-M1
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic G3
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Longer exposure
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ150

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic FZ150
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FZ150

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic FZ200
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ200

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic FZ200
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FZ200

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Leica V-LUX 3
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Leica V-LUX 4

Olympus E-M5
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Leica V-LUX 4

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