OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III vs Panasonic LUMIX G97
The bottom line
These two are closely matched. The differences below are where they diverge — weigh the ones that map to how you actually shoot, and let price and handling break the tie.
Choose the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III if…
- ✓You value portability — at 410g (14.5 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 530g (1.17 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97 if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks.
- ✓You shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 30p, Log and no clip limit.
- ›Stabilisation: only the Panasonic LUMIX G97 has in-body IS — slower handheld shutter speeds and steadier video without relying on stabilised lenses.
- ›Durability: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 is weather-sealed against dust and rain; the other isn't.
- ›Weight: the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III is 410g (14.5 oz) vs 530g (1.17 lb) — 120g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Resolution: 20.3MP on the Panasonic LUMIX G97 vs 16.1MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
- ›Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 shoots 9fps to the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III's 8fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
Frequently asked
Is the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III or the Panasonic LUMIX G97 better?
These two are closely matched. The differences below are where they diverge — weigh the ones that map to how you actually shoot, and let price and handling break the tie.
Who should choose the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III?
Choose the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III if you value portability — at 410g (14.5 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 530g (1.17 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97 if you shoot video seriously — it brings Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. Choose it if you photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks. Choose it if you shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens. Choose it if you vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
What is the main difference between the OM System OM-D E-M10 Mark III and the Panasonic LUMIX G97?
Video: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 30p, Log and no clip limit.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | Live MOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Image Processor | TruePic VIII | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 16.1 MP | 20.3 MP |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 200 – 25600 | 200 – 25600 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 100 – 25600 | − |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/4000 | 1/4000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/16000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | − |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 8 fps | 9 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 30p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 60p |
| 10-bit Internal | No | No |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | − | V-Log L |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Mic Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | − |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 81 | − |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | 49 |
| Low Light AF | -1 EV | − |
| Eye AF | No | Yes |
| Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 1.44M dots | 2.36M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.46x | − |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 1.84M dots |
| LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5.0 |
| USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 1x SD UHS-I |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $699 | $699 |
| Body Material | Polycarbonate | − |
| Dimensions | 121.5×83.6×49.5 mm | 130.4×93.5×77.4 mm |
| Weight | 410g (14.5 oz) | 530g (1.17 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 330 shots | − |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 330 shots | − |
| Battery Type | BLS-50 | − |
