Sony RX10 II vs Olympus E-M5 III

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Sony RX10 II vs Olympus E-M5 III

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10 II.
Compare Sony RX10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 II 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.

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Differences

Sony RX10 II advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

Slower slow-motion
1000 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
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 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

400 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
44 vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony RX10 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 3.36 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 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 102 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
414g vs 849g
Lighter weight
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 14.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
30.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX10 II User Reviews

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Sony RX10 II

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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

Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.
Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.
Read our Sony RX10 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 Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

$698
1 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Sony RX10

Olympus E-M5 III

Sony RX10

$924
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$698
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX10

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic FZ1000

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Top deck display

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-M5 III

Panasonic FZ1000

$924
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 II

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Integrated ND filter

$899
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer exposure

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M5 III

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$899
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic G100

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 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 RX10 II

Olympus E-M10 IV

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

$666
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX10 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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