Sony DSLR-A380 vs Olympus E-M5 III

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Sony DSLR-A380 vs Olympus E-M5 III

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A380 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A380.

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.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A380 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

500 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony DSLR-A380

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
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs No
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
49 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
414g vs 762g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.4 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 1.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

Common Weaknesses

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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A380

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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

Read our Sony DSLR-A380 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 Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K-7

Olympus E-M5 III

Pentax K-7

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D3100

Olympus E-M5 III

Nikon D3100

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A33

$849
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Sony A33

Olympus E-M5 III

Sony A33

$924
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A33

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony DSLR-A380

Panasonic G100

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 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 DSLR-A380

Olympus E-M10 IV

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$630
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 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

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