Hands on with the Olympus E-M5 MARK III

A few hours ago Olympus introduced the new E-M5 MARK III – the third generation of its mid-level mirrorless camera which includes a large number of improvements compared to the older generation.

Olympus was very quite in 2019 but after four years the have finally updated their mid-level camera and the new model brings a large number of improvements. In many respects, the new E-M5 MARK III is a sort of a mini OM-D E-M1 Mark II which is one of Olympus’s two flagship cameras (together with the large body E-M1X).

Among the new features of the E-M5 MARK III are a new 20MP sensor with 121-point phase-detection autofocus system, Pro Capture prerecording mode, a new processor, better weather sealing, 4K video-recording capabilities (up to 30p), improved image stabilization (always a strong aspect of Olympus cameras) with up to 5.5 stops (or 6.5 stops with some lenses), smaller BLS-50 battery (but with the same 310 CIPA rating) some controls improvements including a button for changing AF modes on the top.

The new Olympus E-M5 MARK III 

The camera also has a deeper grip (although it is somehow 55 grams lighter), has a new EVF which is smaller but higher in res (2.36 million dots). It can also capture a 50MP in high res shooting mode which combines several pictures, can fire a burst of shots at 10fps with continuous autofocus, or can up to 30fps with focus/exposure locked. It also gets new Art Filters, an anti-flicker mode as well as BT connectivity.

The new camera isn’t exactly inexpensive, to be honest, it is going to be hard to justify it’s $1200 price tag when larger sensor recent cameras like the new Sony A6600 cost just $200 more and the amazing Fujifilm XT-3 is just $100 more (both offer APS-C sensors).

If you don’t want to miss any new photography product be sure to check out our product photography section.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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