OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II → OM System OM-D E-M5 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-M5 Mark III is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 10fps to 15fps; resolution rises from 16.1MP to 20.4MP; 4K video arrives. The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III lists at $1,299 (the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II 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-M5 Mark III if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 15fps 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 and Log for gradable footage.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -2 EV gives it the edge after dark.
- ✓You value portability — at 366g (12.9 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 469g (1.03 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Stick with the OM System OM-D E-M5 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 (20 items)
↑ 11 improved · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II | OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Image Processor | TruePic VII | TruePic VIII |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 16.1 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 | 15 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 81 | 121 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -1 EV | -2 EV |
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.74x | 0.83x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →Bluetooth | v4.0 | v4.2 |
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 1x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| →Dimensions | 123.7×85.5×44.5 mm | 125.3×85.2×49.7 mm |
| ↑Weight | 469g (1.03 lb) | 366g (12.9 oz) |
| →Battery Type | BLN-1 | BLS-50 |
What stayed the same (26 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II already has them.
Ready to buy?
OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II (keep or buy used)
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OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II to the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III?
The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the direct successor to your OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 10fps to 15fps; resolution rises from 16.1MP to 20.4MP; 4K video arrives. The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III lists at $1,299 (the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II 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-M5 Mark III over the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II?
Across the spec sheet the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III improves 11 items. The most significant: 15fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 10fps would drop frames. it brings 10-bit internal colour and Log for gradable footage. AF that focuses down to -2 EV gives it the edge after dark. at 366g (12.9 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 469g (1.03 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What does the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark II still do just as well as the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III?
26 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.
Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III full specs →