S1 IIvs Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
OM System
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019)
Starting from £699 new
Best for Travel & lightweight outdoor photography
View Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Travel & Lightweight Outdoor Photography — Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019): The lightest weather-sealed MFT camera — compact, travel-friendly, and capable with 7.5-stop IBIS in a body that fits in a jacket pocket.
Who should buy what
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019)
- Travel photographers who want a compact, weather-sealed MFT body
- Outdoor photographers upgrading from the E-M10 who want better sealing
- Enthusiasts who want strong IBIS in a lightweight, portable system
- Photographers who want a capable travel camera that won't weigh them down
Quick take: The s1 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the olympus om-d e-m5 iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 20.4MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 390 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 414g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history