• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Sony A5000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

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.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Olympus E-M5 III
Samsung NX1100
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Olympus E-M5 III
Sony NEX-5T
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus E-M5 III
Sony A5100
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic G100

Sony A5000
Panasonic G100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $597
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $597
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Sony A5000
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
Compare Other Cameras?