Because of its high speed, accuracy, and adaptability, the Micro Four Thirds E-M5 Mark III from Olympus is the best Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera on the market. It has a large number of capabilities in a very small package.
In addition to a 20.4-megapixel MOS sensor and a TruePic VIII image processor, the E-M5 Mark III enables fast continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter up to 10 frames per second and up to 30 frames per second with an electronic shutter, as well as 4K video recording in DCI and UHD formats.
As well as offering a sensitivity range of up to ISO 25600, the sensor and processor combo also has a sophisticated 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization technology that adjusts for up to 6.5 stops of camera shake for crisper handheld photography.
In addition to the imaging specifications, the sensor’s design features 121 phase-detection points, all of which are cross-type, as well as 121 contrast-detection regions, which together allow for rapid and precise focusing and subject-tracking capabilities, respectively.
With all of its performance-oriented features, the E-M5 Mark III manages to maintain a stylish appearance that is also weather-sealed to allow it to be used in inclement weather. A high-resolution 2.36m-dot 0.67x-magnification OLED viewfinder, as well as a 3.0″ TFT LCD display, are included “Displaying 1.04 million dots on a 1.04-inch touchscreen LCD with a vari-angle design that allows you to operate from high, low, and front-facing angles.
The built-in WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities enable wireless data transfer and remote camera operation from connected mobile devices.
TruePic VIII image processor and a 20.4MP Live MOS sensor are included.
The camera’s high-resolution 20.4MP Live MOS sensor works in conjunction with a TruePic VIII image processor to provide rapid shooting performance, a sensitivity range of ISO 200-25600, and adaptable 4K video recording capabilities, among other things.
When operating with the mechanical shutter, the sensor and processor combination provides a full-resolution continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second for up to 150 consecutive raw files, making it ideal for photographing moving subjects in low light.
This rate can be increased to up to 30 frames per second with single-shot AF for up to 23 consecutive raw frames when using the quiet electronic shutter, and it can be increased to 10 frames per second with continuous AF for up to 152 consecutive raw frames when using the mechanical shutter.
Unlimited consecutive shooting is available while recording JPEGs until the memory card is completely depleted.
Video recording at DCI and UHD 4K resolutions, as well as OM-Log
In addition, the sensor and CPU are capable of recording 4K videos in both DCI (4096 x 2160) and UHD (3840 x 2160) resolutions. A real 24.00 frames per second frame rate is utilized in DCI, along with IPB compression and a 237 megabits per second-bit rate, while UHD 4K is offered in frame rates up to 29.97 frames per second and a 102 megabits per second-bit rate.
It is also possible to record in full HD 1080p and HD 720p resolutions. It is possible to record audio using the built-in stereo microphone, and an additional microphone connection is provided for improving the audio recording quality even more.
Additionally, the use of an external recording display is allowed via the HDMI output, which offers a 4:2:2 8-bit color for a wider color-correcting range than the DVI output.
Additional features such as a Time-lapse Movie mode with a 5 fps filming rate and up to 4K UHD quality are also available to capture subject changes or movement over a longer period of time. Full HD and HD time-lapse modes, as well as a high-speed Full HD preset with a frame rate of 120 frames per second, are also available.
121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detection AF with a total of 121 points
Advanced autofocus technology combines phase-detection locations on the chip with contrast-detection sections on the chip for focusing performance that is both rapid and precise. All 121 phase-detection points are also cross-type, which allows for increased precision in mixed illumination circumstances as well as improved subject tracking capabilities while monitoring moving subjects.
The camera has several different focusing modes that can be used to accommodate different shooting situations, including 121-point for general use; Group 25-point for moving subjects, such as birds and wildlife, and when 121-point is too wide; Group 9-Point for smaller and more distant subjects; Group 5-Point for when 9-point is too wide or to accommodate working with closer moving subjects; Single for working with still or small subjects that are not moving; and Small AF for working with close-up subjects.
Also included are custom AF targets, which allow you to work with a defined number of focus points at any location on the 121-point grid. An AF limiter function allows you to confine the focus distance between two points within a specified range, resulting in a faster response.
Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization on Five Axes
Internal sensor-shift image stabilization reduces the appearance of camera shaking by up to 5.5 stops when using any lens and compensates for camera motions that become particularly obvious while dealing with telephoto photos, macro photography, and long exposures.
This innovative picture stabilization technology compensates for vertical angle rotation, horizontal angle rotation, horizontal shift, vertical shift, and rolling camera shaking movement by working across five axes. This range of observed motions is beneficial for both traditional still picture photography and video recording, as well as for working more efficiently with moving subjects.
Additionally, when used in conjunction with some lenses that provide optical image stabilization, shaking correction of up to 6.5 stops is feasible.
Designing the Body and Connectivity
- For eye-level monitoring, a high-resolution 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder is offered. It has a 0.67x maximum magnification and provides clean, distortion-free vision.
- 3.0 in the rear “One of the most notable characteristics of this 1.04 million dot LCD monitor is its vari-angle design, which allows you to work from a range of different angles. It also has a touchscreen, which allows for intuitive menu navigation and picture playback. Additionally, while working in low-light conditions, a Live View Boost mode may be employed to improve the screen’s brightness and prioritize the frame rate above other considerations.
- The included BLS-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery is capable of providing around 310 shots on a single charge.
- The micro-USB connector of the camera may be used to charge the camera’s battery.
- The single SD memory card slot is UHS-II compliant, which means it can handle rapid read and write rates.
- The inclusion of a microphone port, a top hot shoe, micro-USB, and micro-HDMI connections, as well as a 2.5mm connector for extra remotes, ensures a wide range of accessories are compatible with the camera.
- Work in tough weather conditions and challenging situations is made possible by the rugged splashproof, dustproof, and freezeproof construction, which integrates significant sealing throughout the body design.
- The employment of a Supersonic Wave Filter in conjunction with a dust-resistant coating significantly reduces the possibility of dust reaching the sensor.
- When used in conjunction with the proprietary O.I.Share software for iOS and Android, the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allows for wireless image sharing and remote camera control from a connected smartphone or tablet.
Modes of Photography
High Res Shot mode produces the equivalent output of a 50MP JPEG image or an 80MP raw image by merging eight consecutively recorded frames into a single, bigger image of the same size as the original.
Each exposure is separated by a short period of time during which the sensor-shift stabilization mechanism moves slightly in order to acquire more information than would be possible in a single exposure.
These frames are then composited together to create a final image with higher resolution and color detail. TruePic VIII processing supports this shooting function by accounting for any subject movement blur, and this functionality may also be enabled to capture 25MP photographs for more file size flexibility, in addition to adjusting for any subject movement blur.
This is a one-of-a-kind long exposure option that allows you to progressively increase the exposure over time without overexposing important components inside the frame. As a result, it is great for capturing star trails or other moving light sources since it only records freshly detected light sources over time and lets you to watch the image grow as it is captured.
Using the Live Bulb and Live Time settings, you can create some really beautiful long exposure photography. You may use Live Bulb to keep the shutter open for up to one minute, and Live Time allows you to push the shutter button once to open the shutter and then press it again within a minute to bring the exposure to a conclusion.
Before fully depressing the shutter button, the camera enters Pro Capture Mode, which begins capturing and buffering full-resolution JPEG or raw photos before the shutter is fully depressed. Starting as soon as you half-click the shutter button, frames will begin to be recorded, and as you completely push the shutter button, the image will be stored together with the preceding 35 frames.
Also possible in this mode is to keep the shutter button down in order to continue shooting constantly while employing the quiet electronic shutter feature.
Interval shooting is enabled for up to 999 frames with exposure intervals ranging from one second to twenty-four hours.
Anti-flicker shooting is essential. Detects the frequency and flicker of artificial lighting and triggers the shutter at peak brightness periods to provide exposures with consistent exposure and color, without the need for manual adjustment.
A subject will be automatically recorded eight times while the plane of focus is gently shifted, and these exposures will be composited into a single frame to provide an expanded depth of field. Focus Bracketing, on the other hand, allows you to capture between 3-999 frames with configurable focus steps in a 1-10 range for manual compositing during post-production, allowing you to save time.
Working with M.Zuiko Digital ED gives you access to these modes only when you use it. The lenses include the 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO, 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO, 30mm f/3.5 Macro, 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO, 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO, 300mm f/4 IS PRO, and 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO.
When working in live view, you may use Keystone Compensation to account for convergence errors in your work. For the same reason, Fisheye Compensation allows you to utilize the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F/1.8 Fisheye PRO lens as a wide-angle lens with no distortion by correcting and removing distortion in the image.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Specs
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $1199 (body only), $1799 (w/14-150mm lens) |
| Body type | |
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor photodetectors | 22 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.4 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | TruePic VIII |
| Color space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 200-25600, expands to 64-25600 |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 64 |
| White balance presets | 7 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | 5-axis |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 6.5 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Superfine, fine, normal, basic |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Olympus ORF, 14-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 121 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.37× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/32000 sec |
| Exposure modes | iAutoProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManualBulbTime |
| Scene modes | Portraite-PortraitLandscape + PortraitNight + PortraitChildrenNight scapeSportHand-held StarlightFireworksLight trailsSportsPanningLandscapeSunsetBeach & SnowBacklight HDRCandlelightSilentMacroNature MacroDocumentsMulti Focus Shot |
| Built-in flash | No (Compact external flash included) |
| External flash | Yes (via hotshoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleSequential (hi/lo)Self-timer |
| Continuous drive | 30.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 202 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (wired and via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BLS-50 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 310 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz) |
| Dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50 mm (4.92 x 3.35 x 1.97″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Price
