Sony A3000 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Sony A3000 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Sony A3000 vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.25 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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony A3000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark A3000 test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 1,068 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
346k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
60.6 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
51 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

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Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony A3000

Fujifilm X-T2

$500
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Olympus E-M1 II

Pentax K-01

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Panasonic G7

Sony A3000

Panasonic G7

$500
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Sony A3000

Panasonic GX8

$500
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Olympus E-M1 II

Sigma sd Quattro

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sigma sd Quattro

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