OM System OM-D E-M1 → 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 2 generations newer to your OM System OM-D E-M1, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 10fps to 25fps; resolution rises from 16.3MP to 20.4MP; 4K video arrives. The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III lists at $1,799 (the OM System OM-D E-M1 launched at $1,299, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 25fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 10fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓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 if…
- •You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,299, about $500 less, freeing money for lenses.
- •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 (26 items)
↑ 14 improved · ↓ 2 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | OM System OM-D E-M1 | OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Image Processor | TruePic VII | TruePic IX |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 16.3 MP | 20.4 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 100 – 25600 | 64 – 102400 |
| →Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/32000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 10 fps | 25 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| ↑Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| ↑Mic Input | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 81 | 121 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -2 EV | -6 EV |
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.74x | 0.83x |
| Monitor | ||
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →Bluetooth | v4.0 | v4.2 |
| →USB | Micro USB 3.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 2x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $1,299 | $1,799 |
| →Dimensions | 130.4×93.5×63.1 mm | 134.1×91.9×68.9 mm |
| ↓Weight | 443g (15.6 oz) | 504g (1.11 lb) |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 350 shots | 420 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 350 shots | 420 shots |
| →Battery Type | BLN-1 | BLH-1 |
What stayed the same (20 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-D E-M1 already has them.
Ready to buy?
OM System OM-D E-M1 (keep or buy used)
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OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the OM System OM-D E-M1 to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III?
The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III is 2 generations newer to your OM System OM-D E-M1, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 10fps to 25fps; resolution rises from 16.3MP to 20.4MP; 4K video arrives. The OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III lists at $1,799 (the OM System OM-D E-M1 launched at $1,299, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III over the OM System OM-D E-M1?
Across the spec sheet the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III improves 14 items. The most significant: 25fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 10fps would drop frames. it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. 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 still do just as well as the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III?
20 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (Live MOS), sensor size (Micro Four Thirds), lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), iso range (native) (200 – 25600), mechanical shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250). 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?
Yes — 2 items on the spec sheet move the other way: price (msrp) ($1,299 → $1,799), weight (443g (15.6 oz) → 504g (1.11 lb)).
Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark III full specs →