• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7R II advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony A7R II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $1798*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    414g vs 640g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.0 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R II
Body Only
All A7R II 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

  • Superb image quality; Very high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Compact, comfortable body with lots of customization potential; Bright, roomy and clear viewfinder; Tilting LCD display; Five-axis stabilization; Intuitive Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity

  • Movie button is poorly located; No touch screen; Not as fast to start up or shoot photos as a similarly-priced SLR; Rather slow buffer clearing; No built-in flash; Single card slot; Not weather-sealed to the same degree as some rivals

  • Read our Sony A7R II 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 A7R

Sony A7R II
Sony A7R
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A7R
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7R II
Sony A9
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A9

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A9
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II
Sony A7R III
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R III

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A7R III
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A7R II
Panasonic G100
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R II 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 A7R II
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R II 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

Compare Other Cameras?