Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 III.
Compare Olympus E-M10 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Olympus E-M10 III

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
105 vs 80 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

650 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 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
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Sony A9

Less expensive
$799 vs $2995*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 364 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Read A9 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)

All E-M10 III Deals

Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.
Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.
Read our Olympus E-M10 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Sony A9

Olympus E-M10 II

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M10 II

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$349
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M10 III

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$549
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A9

Panasonic GX85

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX85

$549
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Higher max flash sync

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2498
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Olympus E-M10 III

Sony A7R III

$549
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Sony A9 II

$549
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A9 II

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