Sony A7R IV vs Olympus E-M5 III

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Sony A7R IV vs Olympus E-M5 III

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35mm 849.7mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R IV.
Compare Sony A7R IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R IV 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 A7R V

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Differences

Sony A7R IV advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
105 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

670 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
61.0 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
Bigger JPEG buffer
70 vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony A7R IV

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1099 vs $2990*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Thinner
49 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
414g vs 665g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
30.0 fps vs 7.2 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

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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

Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.
Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7R IV 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 Canon R5

Sony A7R IV

Canon R5

$3217
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5

Olympus E-M5 III

Canon R5

$924
4/3

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon R5

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A7R IV

Panasonic G100

$3217
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R IV 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 IV

Olympus E-M10 IV

$3217
35mm

Larger sensor
High resolution composite

$630
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$630
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

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

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R IV

Nikon Z7 II

$3217
35mm

High resolution composite
NFC

$2330
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon Z7 II

Olympus E-M5 III

Nikon Z7 II

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2330
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

$3217
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$5831
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Sony A1

Olympus E-M5 III

Sony A1

$924
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$5831
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A1

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