Sony A7 III vs Olympus E-M5 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7 III vs Olympus E-M5 III

Leave Feedback

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

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

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV
Compare Sony A7 IV vs Olympus E-M5 III

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7 III advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
115 vs 60 minutes
Capture more video
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

710 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.68x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 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
Bigger JPEG buffer
163 vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony A7 III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1099 vs $1998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Thinner
49 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
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
30.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
30.0 fps vs 9.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 III User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 III Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Silver)

All E-M5 III Deals

Review Excerpt

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.
Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.
Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

$1865
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A7 II

Olympus E-M5 III

Sony A7 II

$924
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7 II

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

$1396
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M5 III

Nikon Z6

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1396
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A7 III

Panasonic G100

$1865
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III

Panasonic G100

$924
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$599
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Sony A7 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

$1865
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$666
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$666
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

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

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1865
35mm

NFC
Longer video battery life

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

Olympus E-M5 III

Nikon Z6 II

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?