OM System OM-D E-M5 → 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 2 generations newer to your OM System OM-D E-M5, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 12 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps 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 launched at $999, 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 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap).
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Stick with the OM System OM-D E-M5 if…
- •You're budget-conscious — it launched at $999, about $300 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 (25 items)
↑ 12 improved · ↓ 3 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | OM System OM-D E-M5 | OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Image Processor | TruePic VI | TruePic VIII |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 16.1 MP | 20.4 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 100 – 25600 | 64 – 102400 |
| →Mechanical Shutter | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 15 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| →Recording Limit | 29 min | No limit |
| ↑Mic Input | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 0 | 121 |
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Resolution | 1.44M dots | 2.36M dots |
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.74x | 0.83x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Resolution | 0.61M dots | 1.04M dots |
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 1x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $999 | $1,299 |
| →Dimensions | 121.1×89.6×43.6 mm | 125.3×85.2×49.7 mm |
| ↑Weight | 425g (15.0 oz) | 366g (12.9 oz) |
| ↓Battery Life (EVF) | 360 shots | 310 shots |
| ↓Battery Life (LCD) | 360 shots | 310 shots |
| →Battery Type | BLN-1 | BLS-50 |
What stayed the same (18 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the OM System OM-D E-M5 already has them.
Ready to buy?
OM System OM-D E-M5 (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 to the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III?
The OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III is 2 generations newer to your OM System OM-D E-M5, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 12 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps 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 launched at $999, 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?
Across the spec sheet the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III improves 12 items. The most significant: 15fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap). the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
What does the OM System OM-D E-M5 still do just as well as the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III?
18 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), flash sync speed (1/250), built-in flash (No). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III give anything up compared to the OM System OM-D E-M5?
Yes — 3 items on the spec sheet move the other way: price (msrp) ($999 → $1,299), battery life (evf) (360 shots → 310 shots), battery life (lcd) (360 shots → 310 shots).
Full side-by-side spec table →OM System OM-D E-M5 Mark III full specs →