Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 II

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Nikon D3S vs Olympus E-M5 II

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 III
Compare E-M5 II vs E-M5 III

Compare NIKON D4 vs OLYMPUS E-M5 III

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3S test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

3,253 vs 908 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

4200 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
90 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
41 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Nikon D3S

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
44 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
469g vs 1410g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
10.4 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.4 fps vs 9.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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 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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3S Full Review

Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set
Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe
Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Olympus E-M5 II

Nikon D3X

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S

Canon 1DX

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Olympus E-M5 II

Canon 1DX

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$4500
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Olympus E-M5 II

Nikon D4

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon D4

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Nikon D3S

Panasonic GX7

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3S vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D3S

Panasonic GX85

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3S vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX85

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

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