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OM System

OM-5 Mark II

Updated compact MFT travel body with 20MP sensor, 7.5-stop IBIS, IP53 sealing, and Live ND.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

vs

OM System

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Previous Olympus flagship still capable for wildlife.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Feb 2020

OM-5 Mark II is 4.9 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

OM-5 Mark II

Sports & ActionTravel

Wins

4categories

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

WildlifeSports & Action

12 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

OM-5 Mark II wins 1 categories·OM-D E-M1 Mark III wins 4 categories
  • BOM-D E-M1 Mark III has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
  • BOM-D E-M1 Mark III has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • AOM-5 Mark II has lower Weight (414 g vs 580 g)
  • BOM-D E-M1 Mark III has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
  • BOM-D E-M1 Mark III has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)

Key specs at a glance

OM-5 Mark IIOM-D E-M1 Mark III
Resolution20.4 MP20.4 MP
SensorMFTMFT
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst15 fps20 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7.5-stop7-stop
Weight414 g580 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

OM-5 Mark II

125 × 85 × 50 mm

414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

OM-5 Mark II is 9mm narrower, 6mm shorter, and 22mm thinner than OM-D E-M1 Mark III.

OM-5 Mark II is 166 g lighter than OM-D E-M1 Mark III.

Depth (front-to-back): 50mm OM-5 Mark II · 72mm OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Sensor size, to scale

OM-5 Mark II

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

OM-5 Mark II

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseOM-5 Mark IIOM-D E-M1 Mark III
Portrait
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
3.5Limited
3.5Limited
Travel
8.0Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Wildlife
8.0Excellent
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
7.5Good✓ wins
7.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

OM-5 Mark II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 125.3, 85.2, 49.7

  • Weight

    414 g vs 580 g — lower is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7.5 stops vs 7 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134, 91, 72

  • AA filter

    Only OM-D E-M1 Mark III supports it

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 20.4 MP
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • AF points / zonesBoth 1053
  • AF frame coverageBoth 100 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

OM-5 Mark II

Pros

  • 7.5-stop IBIS
  • IP53 weather sealing
  • Live ND & computational modes
  • Compact travel body

Cons

  • MFT sensor
  • Single card slot
  • Premium for MFT

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Pros

  • Pro build
  • 60fps mode
  • Great IBIS

Cons

  • Superseded
  • MFT
  • Older AF

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Resolution
20.4 MP
20.4 MP
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
17.3 × 13.0 mm
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Processor
TruePic X
TruePic X
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
OM-5 Mark II
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, OM-5 Mark II or OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

OM-D E-M1 Mark III scores 9.0/10 versus 8.0/10 for OM-5 Mark II — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

Both cameras share the same 20.4 MP resolution.

Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III have in-body image stabilization?

OM-5 Mark II has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-D E-M1 Mark III has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-5 Mark II or the OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

OM-5 Mark II reaches 15 fps electronic. OM-D E-M1 Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

OM-5 Mark II weighs 414 g and OM-D E-M1 Mark III weighs 580 g, so the OM-5 Mark II is 166 g lighter.

Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III record 4K video?

OM-5 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. OM-D E-M1 Mark III: 4K up to 60p.

Are the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark III weather sealed?

OM-5 Mark II: Yes. OM-D E-M1 Mark III: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-5 Mark II and 640 shots for the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, giving the OM-D E-M1 Mark III the edge.

How much does each cost?

OM-5 Mark II launched at $1,299 and OM-D E-M1 Mark III at $1,799. The OM-5 Mark II is $500 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way OM-5 Mark II vs OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.