Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs OM-D E-M5
Quick take: The OM-D E-M1 Mark III has the highest resolution at 20MP; the OM-D E-M5 is the most affordable.
Where the OM-D E-M1 Mark III wins
- Resolution: 20.4MP
- Burst Rate: 60fps (18fps with continuous AF)
- Battery Life: ~420 shots (CIPA)
- Portrait: 6.7 vs 4.9
- Wedding & Events: 6.8 vs 4.0
Where the OM-D E-M5 wins
- Cheaper new: £40 vs £425
- Weight: 425g (with battery)
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- OM-D E-M1 Mark III 134 × 91 × 69 mm · 580 g
- OM-D E-M5 122 × 89 × 43 mm · 425 g
The OM-D E-M5 is 12 mm narrower, 2 mm shorter, 26 mm slimmer and 155 g lighter than the OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus · 2020 | OM-D E-M5Olympus · 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £425 used | £40 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MPBest | 16.1MP |
| Video | C4K/24p, 4K/30p, Full HD 1080p/120 | Full HD 1080/60i |
| Autofocus | 121-point all cross-type on-sensor phase detect + contrast AF, face / eye detection, Starry Sky AF | Contrast-detect AF, 35 areas, face and eye detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 7 stops (7.5 with Sync IS) | 5-axis in-body stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 60fps (18fps with continuous AF)Best | 9fps |
| Battery Life | ~420 shots (CIPA)Best | ~360 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 580g (with battery) | 425g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 134.1 × 90.9 × 68.9mm | 121.9 × 88.9 × 43.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 1.48x | EVF, 1.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting OLED touch screen, 610k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB PD), micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, RM-CB2 remote | USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, hot shoe, Accessory Port 2 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM-D E-M5
Portrait
6.7/10
4.9/10
Street
6.2/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.0/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
6.8/10
4.0/10
Vlogging & Video
5.2/10
—
Filmmaking
5.6/10
—
Documentary
6.5/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
5.3/10
Landscape
5.9/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
7.9/10
6.1/10
Casual
4.8/10
4.3/10
Food
6.8/10
5.5/10
Macro
7.9/10
5.1/10
Architecture
6.0/10
4.4/10
Astrophotography
5.7/10
3.7/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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