Olympus E-M10 III vs Nikon D780

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Olympus E-M10 III vs Nikon D780

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4/3 226.2mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 III.
Compare Olympus E-M10 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 III conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

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Differences

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Nikon D780

Less expensive
$799 vs $2097
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
49 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D780 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

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

2260 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Higher-res screen
786k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.5 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
900 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)

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Buy the Nikon D780

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Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.
Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.
Read our Olympus E-M10 III Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M5 II

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Internal flash

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

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

Nikon D780

Olympus E-M5 II

$1947
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M10 II

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$349
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-M10 II

Nikon D780

Olympus E-M10 II

$1947
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX85

$549
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Higher max flash sync

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic GX85

Nikon D780

Panasonic GX85

$1947
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M10 III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$549
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1947
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax K-1 II

$549
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$1947
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

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