Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIvs Pentax 17
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
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
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.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
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 pentax 17 is the most affordable; only the olympus om-d e-m5 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £400 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | — |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 414g body only | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | N/A |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Camera family history