Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III vs OM System OM-5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
65
SCORE
|
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
OM System OM-5
70
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and the OM System OM-5 are compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, and the OM-5 is the newer model, arriving in 2022 three years after the E-M5 Mark III. That three-year gap brought a newer processor and a higher native ISO ceiling rather than a redesign. Both bodies measure 125 x 85 x 50 mm and weigh 414 g, so neither offers a carrying advantage. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2022 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2019 | October 26, 2022 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 125 x 85 x 50 mm | 125 x 85 x 50 mm |
| Camera weight | 414 g | 414 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras give you the same 20-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor resolution, so print sizes and cropping room do not differ. Each offers in-body stabilisation, 121 autofocus points and a 1/8000-second top shutter speed, and both use the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so your lenses carry over unchanged. The OM-5 has the sensitivity advantage for dim handheld work: its native maximum is 25600 ISO, against 6400 ISO on the E-M5 Mark III, which reaches 25600 only as an expanded setting. The OM-5 also carries the newer TruePic IX processor, where the older camera uses TruePic VIII. | ||
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. |
30 fps045 | 30 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 VIII | TruePic IX |
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. |
64003003280000 | 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 | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast action is equally well served: both cameras record 4K video and reach frame rates up to 120 fps for slow-motion footage. Each also has a built-in timelapse mode, so you can create interval sequences without extra accessories. The difference is file format coverage, where the OM-5 adds H.264 alongside MPEG-4 and MOV. | ||
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. |
120 fps | 120 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, H.264 |
| Features | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth bodies are weather-sealed, and neither includes a built-in flash, so an external flash unit supplies extra light on either camera. Each pairs over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. Each has a 3-inch touchscreen with 1040000 dots that flips out for waist-level and selfie framing. Neither body has built-in GPS, so geotagging relies on a paired phone on either camera. The one difference here is screen type, with the OM-5 specified as a TFT LCD. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | 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. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 | 35/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery and storage requirements are the same on both cameras. Each uses the BLS-50 battery, rated for 310 shots, and charges over USB, so one charger and one spare battery serve either body. Both accept a single SD card at up to UHS-II speed, and neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | BLS-50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 310 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the OM System OM-5 if you want 25600 ISO available as a standard setting rather than an expanded one for dim handheld work indoors or at dusk. It also carries the newer TruePic IX processor, and its body is the same size and weight as the older camera.
For landscape, travel and daylight photography, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III matches the OM-5 on the 20-megapixel sensor, in-body stabilisation and the flip-out screen. Lenses, batteries and SD cards carry over unchanged between the two, so the OM-5 is the stronger choice for its native sensitivity headroom.