• 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 A99 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
  • Longer video battery life
    135 vs 60 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 490 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
    61 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 A99 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $3198*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    49 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    414g vs 849g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 11.1 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M5 III
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  • Body Only (Black)
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  • Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Black)
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All E-M5 III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

  • Read our Sony A99 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 Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II
Canon 5DS R
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Olympus E-M5 III
Canon 5DS R
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon D850
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon D850

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A99 II
Panasonic G100
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 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 A99 II
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 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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