Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIvs A7S
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?
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.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
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 (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The olympus om-d e-m5 iii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the a7s is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £600 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS | None |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical | 5fps |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 414g body only | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | Electronic, 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 (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Astrophotography | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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