Cameras


The New Olympus E-M5 Mark III

October 17, 2019

By David Alexander Willis

Incredibly compact and lightweight at only 4.93 x 3.34 x 1.96 inches (which is lighter than most other mirrorless models), the 0.81-pound E-M5 Mark III replaces its predecessor, the E-M5 Mark II, with a slightly bigger body and enhanced performance.

Autofocus capabilities in particular have been improved. They’ve increased the 81-point, contrast-detect AF sensors to an 121-point, all-cross-type PDAF design, combining phase detection and contrast detection methods. With enhanced AF algorithms, this new hybrid AF system uses information from the Live View screen and exposures as they are captured for bursting performance that tops off at up to 10 fps with full AF capabilities.

Fast bursting is important for sports and events work, and the E-M5 Mark III also has a Pro Capture mode that gives 20-megapixel still images in choice of 30 fps or 10 fps. The camera can then retain up to 14 frames for a fast burst of still images that can also be converted to time-lapse or video. The camera has 4K video at 30 fps, and HD at up to 60 fps.

With six new AF Target modes, there are also five levels of tracking sensitivity that can be dialed in to match subject movements from side-to-side or from back-to-forward. The focal points can then be altered simply by touching the screen. A new touchscreen AF Targeting Pad gives your choice of “Single” or “Small” point options.

A Group 5-point mode is provided for more localized moving subjects, like team sports, where focus can be easily confused by too many cross-type sensors. The Group 9-point and Group 25-point options are better for larger and faster moving objects, like birds in flight, or lone athletes such as runners or baseball players.

There is a focus limiter for the autofocus with three distance settings. AF Limiters keep a tighter rein on AF when shooting compositions with a lot of movement and many subjects, like events, sports and wildlife.

Olympus is aggressively pursuing these three demographics with the E-M5 Mark III. Thanks to the 2x equivalence of the Micro Four Thirds sensor, half the size of full-frame, lenses give twice the reach. A $1,799 kit purchase with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II lens gives the equivalent angle of view of a 28-300mm, for example.

Though this all comes at a sacrifice to depth of field, lens performance is still impressive. Olympus is claiming up to 6.5 stops of shake compensation on their “IS” lenses thanks to in-body IS in the camera that has been coupled with in-lens IS.

Currently, the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO are two compatible IS lenses, and the company has promised new models in the near future. Olympus has shaved down the image-stabilization unit and other electronics to save on body size. They’ve moved the location of the mode dial and, ironically, added a new thumb rest to give a better handhold, which actually increases the camera size a bit over the Mark II.

The thumb rest also incorporates an ISO button. For bigger hands, they’ve released the $169 ECG-5 external grip with shutter release and a control dial. Wi-Fi controls are available through Bluetooth and the OI.Share application from Olympus.

Live Composite and Live Bulb selections give long exposure options.  There is also an in-camera Tripod High Res selection that will shift the image sensor by 0.5 pixels over eight photographs to merge the in-camera exposures into a single high-resolution, 50 megapixel image.

They have chosen a new battery type, the BLS-50 , however the system charge is the same as  the Mark II at roughly 310 shots per charge. There are three  weather-sealed flashes for the system: the FL-900R, FL-700WR and STF-8 for macro work. 

Body-only, the $1,199 OM-D E-M5 Mark III is available in black or silver. Adding the 14-150mm Mark II lens, the price is $1,799. A launch special removes $300 from that purchase, though no word on how long that special will last.