Lumix S1vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Lumix
Lumix S1 (2019)
Starting from £1499 new
Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount
View Lumix S1
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?
Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount — Lumix S1 (2019): Built like a tank with one of the finest viewfinders ever made — the S1 is the choice for photographers who prioritise build quality and IBIS over AF speed.
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
Lumix S1 (2019)
- L-mount system photographers who want a rugged, weather-sealed full-frame body for demanding conditions
- Landscape and studio photographers who value exceptional IBIS and an outstanding EVF
- Video professionals who need V-Log and 4K/60p in a robust, weather-sealed body
- Leica SL users who want a more affordable second body on the same L-mount system
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 lumix s1 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 | Lumix S1 (2019) | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,499 | £699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 20.4MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 9fps continuous with AF/AE | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | 390 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 898g body only | 414g body only |
| Dimensions | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots |
| Screen | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S1 | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S1
Camera family history