The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a camera that has been designed for sports and action-oriented photography. It comes with a 20MP Four Thirds sensor and inherits many of the capabilities of the larger E-M1X, including its multi-shot handheld High Res mode. The camera is highly capable and reliable, making it a great choice for photographers who need a camera that can keep up with fast-moving subjects.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III review by Digital Photography Review notes that the camera is ideal
for sports and action-oriented photography. Its subject acquisition and tracking are both quick and accurate, making it highly capable and reliable in this arena. The camera is weather-sealed and has a smaller sensor than some of its competitors, but it makes up for it with strong stabilization and smart built-in features for handheld exposure.
According to PCMag’s review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, the camera is a great choice for photographers who need a camera that can handle fast-moving subjects. It has strong stabilization, smart built-in features for handheld exposure, and weather protection, making it a great camera for outdoor photography. Despite having a smaller sensor than some of its competitors, the camera is still capable of producing high-quality images, making it a great choice for photographers who need a camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
Design and Handling
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a well-built camera that is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. It has a magnesium alloy body that is both lightweight and durable. The camera has a comfortable grip that makes it easy to hold and shoot with for extended periods of time.
Ergonomics
The camera’s ergonomic design is one of its strengths. The buttons and dials are well-placed and easy to reach, allowing the user to quickly adjust settings without having to take their eye off the viewfinder. The camera also has a deep grip that provides a secure and comfortable hold. The grip is especially useful when shooting with larger lenses.
Button Layout
The button layout on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is well thought out. The camera has a dedicated button for most common functions, such as ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation. The buttons are customizable, allowing the user to assign their preferred functions to each button. The camera also has a joystick that can be used to quickly move the focus point around the frame.
One minor complaint about the button layout is that the video record button is located on the top of the camera, which can make it difficult to reach when shooting with the camera at eye level.
Image Quality
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a versatile camera that offers excellent image quality for its format. The camera’s 20MP sensor is familiar from previous models and delivers lovely JPEG colors and good dynamic range. Additionally, the camera features an 80MP High-res mode that allows photographers to capture stunning, detailed images.
Sensor and Processor
The E-M1 Mark III features a 20.4MP Live MOS sensor and the TruePic IX processor. The combination of these two components results in excellent image quality with low noise and excellent color reproduction. The sensor also features a high-speed readout that allows for fast data transfer and improved autofocus performance.
ISO Performance
The E-M1 Mark III offers an ISO range of 200-25600, which can be extended down to ISO 64 and up to ISO 6400. The camera delivers excellent ISO performance with low noise levels, even at high ISO settings. This makes it possible to shoot in low-light conditions without compromising image quality.
Autofocus System
The E-M1 Mark III’s autofocus system is fast and accurate, making it easy to capture sharp images. The camera features a 121-point all cross-type on-chip phase detection autofocus system that covers most of the image area. Additionally, the camera offers a range of autofocus modes, including single point, group, and tracking autofocus modes, which make it easy to track moving subjects.
Video Performance
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a capable camera for videography, with several features that make it stand out from other cameras in its class. This section will cover the video quality and features of the camera.
Video Quality
The E-M1 Mark III can shoot 4K video at up to 30 frames per second and 1080p video at up to 120 frames per second. The video quality is impressive, with sharp details and vibrant colors. The camera also has a built-in image stabilization system that works well for handheld shooting, resulting in smooth footage even when moving around.
However, some users have reported that the camera’s autofocus system can struggle to keep up with fast-moving subjects, resulting in some footage being out of focus. Additionally, the camera’s smaller sensor size can result in some noise in low-light situations.
Video Features
The E-M1 Mark III has several features that make it a great choice for videographers. One of the most notable is the ability to shoot in Log mode, which captures more dynamic range and allows for greater flexibility in post-processing. The camera also has a high bit-rate recording option, which results in better image quality but larger file sizes.
Other features include a microphone jack, headphone jack, and the ability to adjust audio levels manually. The camera also has a variety of video-specific settings, such as focus peaking and zebra patterns, that make it easier to get the shot you want.
Performance and Speed
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a high-performance camera that delivers fast and reliable shooting capabilities. This section will discuss the camera’s shooting speed, buffer capacity, and battery life.
Shooting Speed
The E-M1 Mark III is designed for sports and action photography, and it delivers impressive shooting speed. It can shoot up to 60 frames per second with the electronic shutter and up to 15 frames per second with the mechanical shutter. This makes it an excellent choice for capturing fast-moving subjects.
Buffer Capacity
The camera’s buffer capacity is also impressive. It can capture up to 150 RAW files or an unlimited number of JPEGs in continuous shooting mode. This means that you can capture a lot of images in a short amount of time without having to worry about the buffer filling up.
Battery Life
The E-M1 Mark III has a long battery life, which is essential for extended shooting sessions. It can capture up to 420 shots per charge when using the EVF and up to 900 shots per charge when using the rear LCD. This means that you can shoot for longer periods without having to worry about running out of battery.
Conclusion
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a reliable and capable camera that offers a lot of features for its price point. It is particularly well-suited for sports and action photography, thanks to its quick and accurate subject acquisition and tracking capabilities.
While it may not be the most innovative camera in its class, it is a solid choice for photographers who want a versatile and reliable camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations. The camera’s image quality is excellent, particularly in well-lit conditions, and its multi-shot handheld High Res mode produces stunningly detailed images.
One potential downside of the E-M1 Mark III is its relatively small sensor size, which may limit its low-light performance compared to some of its full-frame competitors. However, this is a tradeoff that many photographers are willing to make for the camera’s compact size and portability.
Overall, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a well-designed and versatile camera that offers a lot of value for its price point. While it may not be the best choice for every photographer, it is definitely worth considering for those who prioritize portability, reliability, and versatility.