• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher-res screen
    205k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Less expensive
    $529 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Lighter weight
    385g vs 652g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000
Kit with 20-50mm Lens
  • Kit with 20-50mm Lens
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All NX3000 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Samsung NX3000
Olympus E-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Samsung NX3000
Panasonic G3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G5

Samsung NX3000
Panasonic G5
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Olympus E-M5
Samsung NX1100
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX3000
Samsung NX1100
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Olympus E-M5
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compare Other Cameras?