Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs Olympus OM-D E-M1X — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
72
SCORE
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Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1X
75
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Olympus OM-D E-M1X are both mirrorless Micro Four Thirds bodies, but they suit different carrying needs. The Mark III measures 134 x 91 x 69 mm and weighs 580 g. The E-M1X is larger at 144 x 147 x 75 mm and 997 g, a difference of 417 g. The Mark III arrived in February 2020, a year after the E-M1X's January 2019 debut, making it the newer of the two designs. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2020 | January 24, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 69 mm | 144 x 147 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 580 g | 997 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsEither body takes the same lenses: both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so the full Micro Four Thirds range fits each camera. Their 20 MP CMOS sensors share resolution as well, giving files of the same pixel count for cropping a distant subject or printing large. In-body stabilisation on both helps handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. Autofocus coverage is another similarity, with 121 points on each, and both top out at 1/8000 second. The Mark III runs the newer TruePic IX processor, while the E-M1X pairs two TruePic VIII chips. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
17.4 x 13 | 13 x 17.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
60 fps045 | 60 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic IX | Dual TruePic VIII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
6430200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1210300 | 1210300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideo4K projects run on either camera: each records up to 4K resolution, and each has a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps, writing MPEG-4 or MOV files. Both include a built-in timelapse mode for condensing drifting clouds or a sunset into a short clip. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 4096 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M1X is the pick for geotagging wildlife and travel shots, since it has GPS built in and the Mark III does not. Flash capability reverses: the E-M1X provides a built-in flash, while the Mark III supports external flash units instead. Shooting in rain or dust is covered on both, since each camera is weather sealed. Each also has a 3-inch 1,037,000-dot touchscreen that flips out for low or overhead angles, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth handle wireless transfer and remote control. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 10370001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 84/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryLong shooting days favour the E-M1X on battery: its two BLH-1 batteries are rated at 870 shots, against 420 shots for the Mark III's single BLH-1. Card handling differs in speed: both take two SD slots and charge over USB, but the E-M1X is UHS-II compatible while the Mark III offers UHS-II on one slot. That matters when offloading large bursts of RAW files quickly. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible on one slot) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLH-1 | BLH-1 (2 required) |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
420 shots1505000 | 870 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1X for long wildlife or sports days away from mains power: its 870-shot battery rating, built-in GPS tagging and UHS-II card support match that work. Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III when a lighter kit matters more: it is the lighter body to carry all day, with the same 20 MP resolution and lens mount.
For video, the shared 4K resolution ceiling and 60 fps maximum frame rate leave neither camera ahead, so stills shooting style, battery needs and carrying preference settle the choice between them.