Olympus now not has a flagship digicam — it has two. The new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is just not designed to succeed the sooner E-M1X, however quite to share the throne. Using the identical 20-megapixel sensor, the 2 cameras ship an identical picture high quality — however a really completely different expertise.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a big by mirrorless requirements. It has a vertical battery grip built-in, a transfer that the corporate says is designed for optimum reliability and sturdiness. By distinction, the OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a travel-friendly digicam with a way more compact physique, nevertheless it lacks the battery life and motorsports-specific autofocus mode of the E-M1X.
While the 2 are parallel on a number of ranges, there are a number of main variations, principally in design. This is one time after we can safely advise you to save lots of your cash. The cheaper possibility is the higher selection for all however a small area of interest of photographers.
At a look:
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus OM-D E-M1X
$2,599
Dual-grip physique, 35 ounces
Two TruPic VIII processors
A.I. motorsports autofocus
Two batteries rated at 870 photographs mixed
Read our Olympus OM-D E-M1X evaluate
Sensor and stabilization
Shot on the E-M1 Mark III
The 20MP 4/3-inch sensor in each cameras isn’t going to win a contest towards bigger APS-C or full-frame sensors, nevertheless it has some advantages. The smaller format permits for smaller lenses, whereas the comparatively low megapixel rely helps each cameras obtain very quick efficiency.
Between the E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X, picture high quality goes to be indistinguishable. The E-M1 Mark III does have a more recent processor, which can give the digicam a slight enhance in noise discount at excessive ISOs, however the distinction isn’t going to be noticeable except you’re pixel-peeping lab-tested photographs.
Both cameras additionally share industry-leading picture stabilization, with as much as 7.5 stops of shake discount. That’s sufficient to take pictures which might be a number of seconds lengthy with out a tripod. And with built-in impartial density (ND) filters, you may really shoot these lengthy exposures through the day with out having to trouble with screw-on lens filters.
The stabilization system is without doubt one of the largest causes to decide on an Olympus over one other digicam model, however neither mannequin right here has a bonus over the opposite.
Speed
E-M1 Mark III
E-M1 X Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
With the bigger physique, the E-M1X homes two processors, which you will suppose would result in quicker steady capturing efficiency. In reality, the alternative is true. The E-M1 X can shoot at 15 frames per second utilizing the mechanical shutter or 60 with the silent digital shutter. However, when you want steady autofocus, you’ll be restricted to 10 fps mechanical, 18 fps digital.
With it’s newer Truepic IX processor, the E-M1 Mark III additionally shoots at 15 or 60 fps with the mechanical and digital shutters, respectively. But, in contrast to the E-M1 X, it might use steady AF on the full 15 fps of the mechanical shutter — though, steady AF with the digital shutter stays restricted to 18 fps.
Autofocus
Shot with the E-M1 Mark III
Shot with the E-M1X
Both the E-M1X and the E-M1 Mark III use the identical hybrid distinction and section detection autofocus system, with 121 cross sort factors for the on-chip section detection. But, the 2 cameras have very completely different headlining autofocusing options, and that is the place the E-M1X’s further processor doubtless provides it an edge.
Using synthetic intelligence, the E-M1X has a motorsports autofocus mode that may shortly discover and concentrate on the motive force (not simply the car) in a variety of completely different motorsports, and even in trains and planes. That’s an enormous assist to shortly seize focus in such a fast-paced style, however, after all, it gained’t enable you in different forms of images.
The E-M1 Mark III doesn’t have that motorsports function, it does introduce a brand new AF mode the E-M1X lacks. It’s referred to as Starry Sky AF, and it makes use of luminosity to search out focus, permitting photographers to make use of autofocus for astrophotography, in addition to issues like night time cityscapes. Achieving good focus is without doubt one of the trickiest elements of astrophotography, and Starry Sky AF is the primary know-how of its variety.
Video
E-M1 Mark III
E-M1X Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Just like with pictures, the 2 cameras have basically an identical video capabilities. Both can shoot cinema 4K at 24 fps or sluggish movement Full HD as much as 120 fps. Advanced options like OM-Log, time-lapse, and HDMI output are included with each. The glorious stabilization can be obtainable in video mode, serving to to easy out these handheld photographs.
Design
E-M1 Mark III
E-M1X Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
So far, it’s a tie sport — however relating to design, the 2 cameras are full opposites. With the built-in battery grip, two batteries, and two processors, the E-M1X weighs a hefty 35 ounces and is even greater than some DSLRs. The trade-off is the 870-shot battery life (extra, in energy save mode) and a management scheme that’s an identical whether or not you might be capturing horizontal or vertical. Olympus says the built-in battery grip presents extra sturdiness and reliability in comparison with including a battery grip onto a smaller digicam, like you may with with the E-M1 Mark III.
The E-M1 Mark III is a a lot smaller digicam, weighing in at 20 ounces. The smaller physique continues to be weatherproof and makes use of a sturdy shutter with the identical life expectancy because the E-M1X. While the E-M1X is well-built, we most well-liked the design of the E-M1 Mark III just because it’s much less to haul round and continues to be remarkably nicely made. Professional sports activities and wildlife shooters, who want all the sturdiness they’ll get, could choose the E-M1X. For the remainder of us, its design is solely overkill.
The two cameras even have comparable management schemes, with the exception that the E-M1X has duplicate for vertical capturing.
E-M1 Mark III
E-M1X Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Which is best for you?
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III are almost an identical in picture high quality and efficiency, with the X providing motorsports autofocus and the III astrophotography autofocus. But regardless of these main similarities, the 2 cameras are immediately distinguishable in design — and value. The E-M1X retails for $2,599 on the time of writing (initially $2,999), the E-M1 Mark III for $1,799.
The E-M1X is the extra sturdy digicam, with longer battery life. The digicam can be higher for area of interest photographers that spend a variety of time capturing motorsports.
The E-M1 Mark III is the extra transportable digicam — it’s our present decide for the very best journey digicam due to its measurement, stabilization, and built-in ND filters. And whereas it doesn’t have the battery grip built-in, you should purchase a variety of further batteries for the worth distinction.
Bottom line
Unless you spend a variety of time capturing motorsports, purchase the E-M1 Mark III. The picture high quality and efficiency is mainly an identical, however the E-M1 Mark III is each extra compact and extra inexpensive.
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