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

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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 $2898*
    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

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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
  • $2898
  • 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
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A9

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A9
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II
Sony A7R III
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R III

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A7R III
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A7R II
Panasonic G100
  • $2898
  • 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
  • $2898
  • 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

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