OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a Micro Four Thirds camera made by Olympus. It more than makes up for its sensor size and megapixel shortcomings with regard to portability, comfort, and feature set. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a more substantial, weather-sealed construction that is said to be splashproof, dustproof, and freezeproof down to 14F/-10C, despite the fact that it isn’t as small as its brothers. You can have a well-rounded camera without the weight of larger-sensor systems if you add in a high-resolution 80MP picture mode, continuous shooting up to 60 fps (15 fps with mechanical shutter), and in-body image stabilization (IBIS) certified for up to 7.5 EV.
About Other Cameras
Among Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Olympus E-M1 III is a well-rounded device. Its design is geared toward hobbyist shooters searching for a more portable option for picture and video shooting, and it is more pleasant to use than other cameras. Its lower sensor size allows it a very powerful in-body image stabilization capability without adding a lot of extra weight. That isn’t the ideal solution, though, for dimly lit areas.
The camera incorporates several of the extra capabilities previously offered by Olympus on their top-tier OM-D E-M1X camera, such as the “High Res Shot” mode and Live ND filters, which were made feasible by the TruePic IX engine. All things considered, it’s a fair compromise for people looking for some of the premium features of Olympus’ flagship model at a lesser price and in a more portable size.
Check out our picks for the best digital cameras, the best vlogging cameras, and the best wildlife photography cameras for additional choices.
Test Findings
Build Excellence
The Olympus E-M1 III has a really solid feel about it. It features an IPX1 water resistant certification and is weather-sealed. The maker claims that it can endure temperatures as low as -20°C up to 60°C (-4° to 140°F), and that it is also dust-, splash-, and freezeproof.
Very little slack or wobble can be felt in any of the buttons or dials. Solid weather-sealed doors protect the battery and SD card compartments, however the hinge is fragile and may break if you aren’t cautious.
Mechanics and comfort
Shooting with the Olympus E-M1 is really pleasant. It features a comfortable handgrip that is extremely ergonomic. You may simply change settings even while looking through the viewfinder because there are several buttons and dials that are generally situated in the right places. You need to use two hands to turn on and off the camera since the power switch is awkwardly located on the left side of the body. You can replace memory cards while the camera is placed on a tripod since the SD card slots are conveniently located on the side of the device. The joystick on the rear is a little challenging to operate, and the eyecup isn’t the most comfy.
Screen
The touchscreen of the Olympus E-M1 Mark III is completely articulated. The hinge has a substantial feel about it. Although you must physically click the “OK” button to make choices, you may use the screen as a touch shutter to choose your focal point and traverse the short menu. The primary menu cannot be navigated via the touchscreen.
Battery
The Olympus E-M1 III’s battery life is respectable. According to CIPA standards, it is rated for 420 shots, although you should use that figure with caution because you usually get more shots than the amount stated. Although while it receives a better score than many mirrorless cameras, such as the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, it still falls short of most DSLRs. Depending on how you use the camera, you should be able to get a number of images out of it over the course of a day or perhaps many days. Also, the E-M1 III includes a power-saving mode dubbed “Quick Sleep Mode” that, according to its advertising, allows you to take about 900 pictures on a single charge.#
Photo Elements
You may pick between two distinct settings when utilizing HDR mode, which, according to Olympus, merges multiple exposures into one image with an increased dynamic range: “HDR1” provides a more natural-looking shot, while “HDR2” delivers a more exaggerated “painterly” impression.
Also, the Olympus E-M1 offers a “High Res Shot” option that allows you to take pictures with a resolution that is greater than the sensor, which is fantastic for generating high-quality prints or allowing you more control over how you can crop your pictures. Although it’s a complicated procedure, it simply involves using the camera’s IBIS to move the sensor slightly for each photo and then combining them to produce an image with a considerably better resolution. Although 80MP is only accessible in tripod mode, you may pick between 80MP, 50MP, or 25MP RAW or JPEG files by setting the shooting technique to either “Handheld” or “Tripod”. Click here for an example “Handheld” high-resolution photograph and here for a “Tripod” photograph.
Image Stabilization for Photos
A great in-body image stabilization (IBIS) function on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is rated for up to 7 EV of stabilization, which means you may reduce your shutter speed by up to 7 stops without losing clarity. It increases to 7.5 stops when used with an Olympus lens that has optical stabilization. This is accomplished using the camera’s five-axis sensor-shift stabilization, which enables you to capture handheld pictures at very slow shutter rates.
Video Content
The Olympus E-M1 Mark III can record DCI (Cinema) 4k at 24 fps in addition to Full HD (FHD) and UHD 4k.
Both a Flat image profile and OM-Log400 for log recording are available on the camera for filmmakers who desire greater creative control over the appearance of their work. When linked to an external recorder via HDMI, it can also record 12-bit 4:2:2 color, collecting more color information and providing you more freedom to edit your film.
4K Video Resolution
Overall, 4K video quality is good. Under more regulated lighting circumstances, the camera records 4k video of high clarity. As the ISO in video mode is limited to 3200, it is less effective in low light. As a result, when utilizing the settings prescribed by our standardized technique, low-light footage seems quite dark despite the fact that the image is still rather crisp. But, 4k video seems more cleaner and more detailed when the aperture is set to maximum, as you can see in this example. Moreover, the auto white balance has a tendency to be finicky, which results in changes in color temperature when a subject approaches the lens, as seen in our face-tracking AF video.
You may also film in “C4k,” or Cinema 4k, if you like slightly crisper, more detailed video (4096 x 2160 resolution). This is an excerpt from a test scene.
CONNECTIVITY AND STORAGE
Storage
Both of the two SD card slots of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 III are compatible with speedier UHS-II cards. It’s perfect for filmmakers, sports, and wildlife photographers that require a backup card on hand and record a lot of video or photographs.
Outputs / Inputs
There are several inputs and outputs on the Olympus M1 Mark III, including a Micro-HDMI connector, a headphone jack, and a microphone input. They aren’t particularly conveniently situated, either, as the articulating screen may be obstructed by the wires.
Our Finding
The Olympus E-M1 Mark III is a fantastic camera for traveling. It is comparatively portable and makes use of smaller Micro Four Thirds lenses. It has a wonderfully solid structure, is quite pleasant to shoot with, and is temperature- and weather-resistant. Moreover, it includes an extremely efficient in-body image stabilization mechanism that facilitates handheld photography at slower shutter speeds. Whilst its smaller sensor makes it somewhat less suitable to low-light shooting than other APS-C and full-frame rivals, photos are detailed with attractive colors and decent noise management. Although you can’t use it while it charges, it still has an excellent overall battery life, which is a little annoying if you run out of juice when you’re out and about. However, with busier situations or subjects, its focusing technology isn’t the most efficient or trustworthy.
