OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II → OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 7 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 18fps to 25fps; 4K goes from 30p to 60p. The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III lists at $1,799 (the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II launched at $1,999, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
Upgrade to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 25fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 18fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -6 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Stick with the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II if…
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (14 items)
↑ 7 improved · ↓ 2 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II | OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Image Processor | TruePic VIII | TruePic IX |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 18 fps | 25 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 60p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Low Light AF | -2 EV | -6 EV |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.74x | 0.83x |
| Monitor | ||
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 3.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 2x SD (1x UHS-II) | 2x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↑Price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $1,799 |
| →Dimensions | 134.1×91.9×66.9 mm | 134.1×91.9×68.9 mm |
| ↑Weight | 574g (1.27 lb) | 504g (1.11 lb) |
| ↓Battery Life (EVF) | 440 shots | 420 shots |
| ↓Battery Life (LCD) | 440 shots | 420 shots |
What stayed the same (34 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II already has them.
Ready to buy?
OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II (keep or buy used)
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III?
The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 7 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 18fps to 25fps; 4K goes from 30p to 60p. The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III lists at $1,799 (the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II launched at $1,999, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
What are the biggest improvements of the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III over the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
Across the spec sheet the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III improves 7 items. The most significant: 25fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 18fps would drop frames. it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p. the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio. AF that focuses down to -6 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What does the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II still do just as well as the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III?
34 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (Live MOS), sensor size (Micro Four Thirds), effective resolution (20.4 MP), lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), iso range (native) (200 – 25600), iso range (extended) (64 – 102400). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III give anything up compared to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
Yes — 2 items on the spec sheet move the other way: battery life (evf) (440 shots → 420 shots), battery life (lcd) (440 shots → 420 shots).
Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III full specs →