Z5vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
VS
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?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
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
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
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 z5 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 | Z5 (2020) | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £699 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 20.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 390 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 414g body only |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
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Camera family history