• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Leica SL2

  • Less expensive
    $1099 vs $4085*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    414g vs 928g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 20.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 20.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Leica SL2 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    47.3 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 III

Leica SL2
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $5992
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Leica SL2
Panasonic G100
  • $5992
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Leica M10-R

Olympus E-M5 III
Leica M10-R
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $8295
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Leica M10-R

Leica SL2
Leica M10-R
  • $5992
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $8295
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica M10-R

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $649
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Leica SL2
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $5992
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $649
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Compared to Sony A1

Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A1
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A1

Leica SL2
Sony A1
  • $5992
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

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