At the beginning of December we decided to explore the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, a camera that can defend itself quite well even with five years on its shoulders. However, many users out there were waiting for a substantial update, starting with a bigger sensor, uncompromising 4K support, a superior shutter speed, and weather sealing. Fortunately, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III checks all those boxes and more, at a price we can consider fair.
Our photographic pilgrimage brings us once again to the colorful territory of mirrorless cameras, which continue with that complex dance that combines quality, features, size, and price. As I mentioned in the previous article dedicated to the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, some companies understand the format better than others. Their 'dance' is cleaner and more refined, so to speak, with very precise positive changes that are reflected in each new generation of products.
Today it's the turn of Olympus and its OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Half a decade separates it from its predecessor, and there's no doubt that a lot of water has passed under the bridge. Updates to the sensor, autofocus system, image stabilization, weather sealing, and video modes suggest a profile more oriented toward demanding enthusiasts, but this mirrorless could easily pass as a 'first camera' for someone willing to travel a lot and capture everything in their path.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: New... and Familiar
Announced originally in October of last year, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III features a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 20.4 effective megapixels, backed by the eighth version of the TruePic image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 to 25,600 with a lower boost of 64, while shutter speed ranges from 1/8,000 to 60 seconds, or 1/32,000 with the electronic system. Its three-inch screen is touch-sensitive and fully articulated, with 1.04 million dots, and on the viewfinder side we find a module updated to OLED technology, with 2.36 million dots and 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus system on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III was basically taken from its bigger sister, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. That means we have a hybrid setup based on 121 phase-detection points, tracking functions, eye and face detection. The camera also includes a sensitivity parameter that the user must adjust depending on how erratic the subject is.
The good news is that its performance is not abysmal. The bad news is that it suffers from some 'firmware pains' that will likely need to be fixed in the future (the only update available to date is 'minor'). The camera's maximum burst is 30 fps, with 10 fps as an intermediate value, or 6 fps if you prefer the mechanical route. For any capture related to action or extreme movement, our colleagues suggest using electronic mode at 10 fps with maximum sensitivity, and we agree with that... at least until Olympus picks up the gauntlet here. Its competition is strong, and it can't afford to fall behind.
The interface of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III doesn't stray too far from its predecessor, but we still find some high-profile tweaks. For example, the mode dial returned to the right side of the camera, freeing up space for the screen switch and timer buttons, as well as the power lever. The rear remains relatively populated, with a total of seven buttons and an 'arrow pad' as Olympus calls it. The function lever can control autofocus or modify the behavior of the dials, which, by the way, have the exact size and placement.
Regarding the mode dial, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III offers Full Auto, Scene 'SCN', Art Filter 'ART', Video, Program Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Bulb 'B', and a custom 'C' slot that you can program as you like. The rest of the details are in the manual, with 260 very easy-to-follow pages.
Accessories for Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
With an average price of €1,100 for the body or €1,450 if you get one of its kits, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III doesn't carry an outrageous premium. However, any shock at the initial investment can be offset with a series of very affordable compatible accessories. I'm talking about less than €200 for batteries, supports, bags, memory cards, and cleaning kits. How can you pass up an opportunity like that?
Batteries and Power
The 310 shots per full charge that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III registers says it all: you'll need an extra battery. A fairly common practice among mirrorless cameras, and the best part is that it doesn't cost a fortune. The compatible Gloxy BLS-5 battery works perfectly, has a capacity similar to the current BLS-50, and costs just €20. Don't hesitate.
Tripods and Supports
Stabilization is one of the strongest points of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III (which extends to images 'and' video), but it's not hard to imagine a situation where we need to rely on a secondary support. That's where options like the classic Gloxy GX-T6662A tripod come in, with an aluminum alloy body and a maximum load of ten kilograms, or the Takeway T2 Clampod, much more compact and lightweight, but without sacrificing strength in any way.
Backpacks and Bags
The weather sealing of this mirrorless is pure peace of mind, but we'd be making a serious mistake if we neglect its transport and storage. So when looking for a good backpack for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, all arrows point to the Gloxy Pro AW, available in three sizes, with a spacious customizable interior and a waterproof cover with an extra layer against moisture. On the other hand, if you want something simpler and easier to carry, the answer comes via the Genesis Gear Orion, which includes space for the body, flash, and lens, plus a tablet and other extra accessories.
Memory Cards and Cleaning Kits
In this small section dedicated to miscellaneous items, we have an affordable option to keep your camera in optimal condition, and the best price-performance ratio in storage. On one hand, the Gloxy 6-in-1 kit includes everything you need to fight dust and grease, from cloths and cleaning liquid to a brush and a blower. On the other hand, that 4K video is crying out for a fast card, which leads us to repeat our recommendation of the SanDisk Extreme Pro at 128 gigabytes. With 170 MB/s read, 90 MB/s write, and V30 certification, no bitrate can resist.
Lenses
The most convenient thing (at least these days) when buying an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is to go directly for one of its kits unless you already own lenses compatible with this manufacturer's mount, or you can get the body at an irresistible price. Regardless of the case, if you need to get a lens that gets along well with this camera, I recommend taking a close look at the Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III, a solid all-rounder that will let you go from wide-angle to telephoto without sacrificing quality, and at a fraction of the cost.
The strategy we should follow with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is quite clear: its specifications, overall performance, and image quality immediately justify any intention to upgrade or to get it thinking of a 'first camera', but if you decide to wait a bit, both its price and its firmware status should improve even more. An exercise in patience we've faced before. Good luck!
