The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III is an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera released in 2019, built around an 20.4MP Live MOS sensor. Key features include 6.5-stop IBIS, 4K video, and weather sealing. This model has been discontinued. It replaces the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II. It has been succeeded by the OM System OM-5. At 414g, this is one of the lightest M43 bodies available, 124g below the M43 average of 538g. Step up to the Panasonic Lumix G97 if you want more controls at the cost of 105g extra.
Best for: Travel and outdoor photography
Pros
- 6.5-stop IBIS for handheld stability
- Weather sealed to IP53
- 50MP high-res shot mode
Cons
- Contrast-detect AF only, slower on unpredictably moving subjects
- 4K capped at 30fps
- No headphone jack for audio monitoring
Travel photography
Weather sealed to IP45 with 6.5-stop IBIS and a compact body at 414g. For travel the combination of sealing, stabilisation, and size is the main selling point. The fully articulated screen is useful for shooting from awkward angles on the road. Full guide →
Street photography
Small, light, and quiet. The silent electronic shutter removes shutter noise in quiet environments. Phase-detect AF handles candid shooting, and the IBIS extends the usable range in low-light street conditions. Full guide →
Outdoor photography
IP45 sealing handles rain and splashes for outdoor use. At 414g it is light enough to carry all day. Subject recognition covers wildlife encounters and the IBIS helps for handheld nature photography.
Specifications
| Body | |
| Brand | Olympus |
| Status | discontinued |
| Released | 2019-10 |
| Weight | 414g |
| Dimensions | 125.3 × 83.4 × 49.7mm |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Weather sealed | IP53 |
| Screen | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1037k dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Sensor | |
| Description | 20.4MP Live MOS |
| Megapixels | 20.4MP |
| Resolution | 5184 × 3888 |
| ISO range (native) | 64–25600 |
| High-res mode | 50MP |
| Viewfinder | |
| EVF | Yes |
| EVF resolution | 2,360,000 dots |
| EVF magnification | 1.37x |
| Stabilisation | |
| IBIS | Yes |
| IBIS stops | 6.5 stops |
| Dual IS | No |
| Autofocus | |
| Phase detect | No |
| Subject recognition | No |
| AF points | 121 |
| Shooting | |
| Max mechanical shutter | 1/4000 |
| Max electronic shutter | 1/16000 |
| Burst (mechanical) | 10 fps |
| Burst (electronic) | 30 fps |
| Battery life (CIPA) | 310 shots |
| Video | |
| 4K | Yes |
| 4K 60fps | No |
| Log | No |
| Max video bitrate | 202 Mbps |
| Ports & storage | |
| Card slots | 1 |
| Card type | SD UHS-I |
| HDMI | micro |
| USB | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No |
| Mic port | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| NFC | No |
| Battery | BLS-50 |
| Pricing | |
| Price (approx.) | N/A |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III have IBIS?
Yes. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III has in-body image stabilisation rated at 6.5 stops.
Is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III weather sealed?
Yes. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III is weather sealed to IP53, which means it is protected against dust and splashing water.
Does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III shoot 4K video?
Yes. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III records 4K video at up to 30fps.
Does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III have phase-detect autofocus?
No. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III uses contrast-detect autofocus. It is slower to lock on to moving subjects than phase-detect systems.
What card does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III use?
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III has 1 card slot and accepts SD UHS-I cards.
How much does the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III weigh?
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III weighs 414g (body only, with battery and card).
Is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III still worth buying?
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III has been succeeded by the OM System OM-5. The newer model improves on AF performance, sensor, and video specs. At a reduced second-hand price the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III remains a capable body, but the OM System OM-5 is the better long-term buy if the budget allows.