Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIvs A7S II
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
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
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.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
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
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The olympus om-d e-m5 iii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the olympus om-d e-m5 iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £799 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 414g body only | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | — | |
| Street | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Camera family history