Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III vs Olympus Pen E-PL10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
65
WINNER
|
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus Pen E-PL10
58
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and the Olympus Pen E-PL10 are mirrorless cameras announced on the same day, 17 October 2019. The E-M5 Mark III is the larger body at 125 x 85 x 50 mm and 414 g. The E-PL10 is the more compact option at 117 x 68 x 39 mm and 380 g, which is 34 g lighter. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2019 | October 17, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 125 x 85 x 50 mm | 117 x 68 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 414 g | 380 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 Mark III is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and fast action. Its 20 megapixel sensor captures four more megapixels than the E-PL10's 16, giving more room to crop a distant subject. It also shoots at up to 30 frames per second against 14 on the E-PL10, and its 1/8000 second top shutter speed allows a shorter exposure for wide apertures in bright light. A shared Micro 4/3 mount means every lens you buy fits either body, and both use the TruePic VIII processor, 121 autofocus points and in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shooting. The E-M5 Mark III is the only one with an eye-level viewfinder, a 2,360,000-dot electronic display, while the E-PL10 relies on its rear screen. Native ISO reaches 25600 on the E-PL10, against 6400 on the E-M5 Mark III. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 16 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 | 17.3 x 13 |
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 | 14 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 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. |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion work, the E-M5 Mark III is the better pick. It records at up to 120 fps, while the E-PL10 tops out at 60 fps, giving stronger slow motion of fast action. Both share a 4K maximum resolution, MPEG-4 and MOV recording and built-in timelapse, so standard 4K projects and interval shooting are equally well served. | ||
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 | 3840 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 | 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 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor outdoor shooting, the E-M5 Mark III is the better protected choice, sealed against dust and moisture where the E-PL10 is not. The E-PL10 answers with a built-in flash, useful for fill light when travelling without a flashgun. Both offer a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for waist-level or selfie framing, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. Neither camera has GPS, so neither records location data with your photos automatically. The screen dot counts are nearly matched, 1,040,000 on the E-M5 Mark III against 1,037,000 on the E-PL10, a 3,000-dot difference. Both accept an external flash when you need more power. | ||
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 | 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 | No |
| Screen type | LCD | 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 | 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 | 35/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-M5 Mark III has the faster storage path, a UHS-II compatible SD slot that accepts faster cards than the E-PL10's UHS-I slot. It also supports USB charging, so you can top up the battery from a power bank or laptop. Both use the same BLS-50 battery and have a single card slot. On rated battery life, the E-PL10 leads with 350 shots per charge, against 310 for the E-M5 Mark III, a 40-shot higher rating. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I 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 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-M5 Mark III for action, wildlife and outdoor work. Its 30 fps maximum burst, 1/8000 second shutter, cropping megapixels, electronic viewfinder and weather sealing make it the stronger camera for fast-moving subjects and changeable weather.
Choose the E-PL10 when a small, light body matters more. Its built-in flash, higher native ISO ceiling and higher rated battery life suit travel, and the same mount, stabilisation and 4K video keep it capable for everyday shooting.