Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III review

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Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III review

27 Jul

Introduction

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Overall score

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The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the third iteration of the company’s sports and action-oriented Micro Four Thirds model. It uses a 20MP Four Thirds sensor and inherits many of the capabilities of the larger E-M1X, including its multi-shot handheld High Res mode.

Olympus says the Mark III is designed with portability and agile shooting prioritized over the better handling and operability of the larger ‘X’ model. And, while it doesn’t offer the E-M1X’s plane / train / motor vehicle-recognition AF modes, the E-M1 III has the latest TruePic IX processor, which brings a couple of features of its own.

Key Specifications

20MP Four Thirds sensor
121-point autofocus system with deep learning-based subject recognition
Handheld high-res shot mode
Up to 60 fps Raw + JPEG capture (up to 18 fps with autofocus)
Pro Capture mode records frames before you hit the shutter
Image stabilization rated at 7.0 (CIPA standard), up to 7.5EV with ‘Sync IS’ lenses
‘Live ND’ multi-shot mode simulates ND filters
Large 2.36M-dot LCD viewfinder able to work at up to 120 fps
420 shots per charge (CIPA) battery life rating
Dual SD card slots (1x UHS-I, 1x UHS-II)
Extensive direct control, AF joystick, articulating touchscreen
UHD 4K/30p video and DCI 24p at up to 237Mbps
Extensive, IPX1-rated weather sealing
USB charging (using USB PD standard)

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is available now for a body-only MSRP of $ 1800 ($ 2400 CAD). It’s also sold with the 12-40mm F2.8 Pro lens for $ 2500 ($ 3300 CAD) or the 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro for $ 2900 ($ 3800 CAD).

What’s new and how it compares

The E-M1 Mark III gains a series of features from the E-M1X as well as improved eye-detection AF. We look at what’s been updated.

There’s an AF joystick and some interface updates on the Mark III, but we were most stuck by the flexible way the camera’s Custom modes now work.

The E-M1 Mark III sits more comfortably alongside the E-M5 III than its predecessor did. And we think the balance of features and capabilities remains competitive.

The E-M1 III’s 20MP sensor is familiar from previous models. Expect lovely JPEG colors and and good dynamic range considering its format. Also check out the 80MP High-res mode!

Autofocus performance is good when used in a traditional manner, but subject tracking lags behind the competition. Still, face and eye-detect work well.

The EM1 III is capable of good-looking 4K footage and offers some of the best in-body video stabilization you’ll find anywhere.

This is a well-rounded camera and easily our favorite Micro Four Thirds body for stills-oriented shooters. Still, there are more capable cameras for the cash.

The DPR editorial staff and the DPRTV team have been shooting with the E-M1 III for a while and we’ve created a gallery that gives you a taste of what it can do.

360Photography