• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Olympus E-M5 II
E-M5 vs E-M5 II
Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
General
Model Number: E-M5 A99
Alternate Model Number(s):   SLT-A99V
Camera Format: Compact System Camera SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.99 $2799.99
Street Price: $899.95 $1,998.00
Date Available: 2012-04-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.0 oz (652 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.
(122 x 89 x 43 mm)
5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.
(147 x 111 x 78 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 24.3
Sensor Format: 4/3 35mm
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 5.97 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 71 89
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8 25.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 826 1,555
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1488 (3.9 MP, Other),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 976 (1.7 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, MPO, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.9 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Digital ED n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 100mm  
Focal Length (actual): 12 - 50mm  
Zoom Ratio: 4.20x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f/6.3 - 22 (tele)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 20 - 50 cm
7.9 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x 1.4x / 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target Dual Phase-detection: 19 points (11 points cross type) CCD line sensors, 102 assist points focal plane phase-detection sensors; Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local selectable
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / OLED EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 1.44M-dot, 1.15x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, ~100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 22mm eyepoint at -1 diopter (CIPA standard), -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor.
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,440,000 dots 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.58x 0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.15x 0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 614,000 dots (205,000 px) 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom:   16.7x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: AUTO: ISO Low (100) - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO Low (100) - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable Auto (100-6400 with selectable limits), 100-25600 in 1/3 EV steps, extendable down to ISO 50; Multi-frame NR up to ISO 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still), Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1 (FULL) - 1/64) Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Bundled FL-LM2 GN = 7m/ISO 100 n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB connector, Accessory Port 2 Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV H); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, External Stereo Headphone Jack, DC Input, Vertical Grip connector, Sync Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Built-in GPS
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.52 0.50
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.51 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 20 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.56 0.58
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.9 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17 17
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 5.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 16 18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.0 5.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 13
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.102 seconds 0.081 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.44 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.056 seconds 0.055 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode lag = 0.175 second Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s
Startup Time: 1.1 seconds 0.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 360 shots 500 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   410 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLN-1 Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLN-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3)
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel, Hi-res EVF, 5-axis image stabilization, 9 fps burst, Full HD video. 24.3MP full-frame image sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, dual phase-detect AF, 200K shutter, AVCHD 2.0 video, hi-res OLED EVF, articulating 1.3M-dot LCD, 6 fps bursts at full resolution, up to 10 fps Tele-zoom mode, two card slots (SD/MS, SD), real-time Full HD video out via HDMI, built-in GPS.