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

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Differences

Sony A7R advantages over Olympus E-M1 Mark III

  • Less expensive
    $1000* vs $2499
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 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
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1 Mark III advantages over Sony A7R

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-100mm f/4 Lens
  • Kit with 12-40mm Lens
All E-M1 Mark III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Resolution that rivals a medium-format camera; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Decent performance bearing in mind its extremely high resolution; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Extreme resolution makes focus and lens quality critical; Modest performance; Loud shutter; Lacks hybrid autofocus of the A7; Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Slow X-sync; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

  • Read our Sony A7R Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7R
Sony A7
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7

Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Sony A7
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Sony A7

Compared to Sony A7R II

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

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7R II

Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Sony A7R II
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Canon EOS RP

Sony A7R
Canon EOS RP
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $949
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Canon EOS RP

Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Canon EOS RP
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $949
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Canon EOS RP

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony A7R
Panasonic G95
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A7R vs Panasonic G95

Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Panasonic G95
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Panasonic G95

Compared to OM System OM-1

Sony A7R
OM System OM-1
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A7R vs OM System OM-1

Olympus E-M1 Mark III
OM System OM-1
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Newer
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs OM System OM-1

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