• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.36 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $2899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    49 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    414g vs 890g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

  • Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.

  • Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon D810
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony A99 II
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A99 II
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M5 III
Pentax K-1 II
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G100

Canon 5D Mark IV
Panasonic G100
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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