• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    299g vs 414g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    233 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    103 vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • 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
  • Longer video battery life
    60 vs 35 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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 23.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 23.9 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • 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 RX100 IV

Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 IV
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Newer
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony RX100 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 IV

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony RX100 V
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony ZV-1
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony ZV-1

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic G100
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VA 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 RX100 VA
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony RX100 VA 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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