OM-5vs A7
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Outdoor & Adventure — OM-5 (2022): The toughest camera at this price — IP53 weather sealing and 7.5-stop IBIS built for adventure photographers.
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
Who should buy what
OM-5 (2022)
- Outdoor and adventure photographers who need a compact, weather-sealed body
- Travellers who want MFT's compact size with pro-level weather protection
- E-M5 III owners upgrading to OM System's improved subject detection
- Photographers who want strong IBIS and rugged build without OM-1 pricing
A7 (2013)
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
Quick take: The a7 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 is the most affordable; only the om-5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-5 (2022) | A7 (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £899 | £299 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p, 4K/120p Cinema4K | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 121 all-cross points, subject tracking | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 7.5 stops (Dual IS with compatible lenses) | None |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic, 10fps mechanical | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 414g body only | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 87.6 × 49.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | OM-5 | A7 |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor & Adventure | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Street | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history