Big test
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Final word
Verdict Current OM-D users looking to upgrade or wanting a second bodymay find the feature set, performance and handling
improvements attractive enough to stump up the cash. Looking beyond existing OM-D users I think imagemakers currently uncommitted to a system will findmuch to like and enjoy in this camera, and that applies to DSLR owners who want the option of a lighter,more compact kit when toting their full-frame kit around simply doesn’t appeal. The Olympus OM-D E-M5Mark III is a classy, capable camera and sells at a competitive price point for its feature set.
FEATURES Very good image stabiliser, 4K video, skilful AF and so much more
23 /25
“PERHAPS MOST IMPRESSIVE WAS ITS AF SKILLS – HERE IT PROVED QUICK, SMOOTH AND DECISIVE IN A BROAD RANGE OF CONDITIONS”
HANDLING Good control
24 /25
layout makes the OM-D E-M5 Mark III a lovely, intuitive camera to use PERFORMANCE Accurate and consistent exposure, focus and white-balance performance VALUE FOR MONEY For what you get, this is a competitively priced camera OVERALL There’s much to love and enjoy about the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. It’s a capable, likeable and nicely priced camera
24 /25
and fireworks). Once the shutter is open, with a push of the shutter button each individual exposure can be from 0.5sec to 60secs; after each exposure the live image is updated, and again you can watch the image build up as new light sources add to the effect. There are more regular Olympus features to enjoy with the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. There’s high-res shot mode, where the tripod-mounted camera makes eight exposures with a sensor shift between each, and once merged in-camera gives 50-megapixel Raws. (See the panel on the previous page for more on this setting.) The camera’s IBIS systemworks well, with a claimed 5.5EV benefit and 6.5EV with certain lenses. I did tests with the 12-40mm f/2.8 and was pleased with the results, achieving very sharp images at shutter speeds as long as one second. Out of five shots I got three sharp, and of course my success rate increased as shutter speeds got faster – by 1/8sec, I achieved five out of five. In video mode, using M-IS1 means stabilisation is done with both sensor shift and digitally, and this gives a slightly cropped image compared with M-IS2 (this is sensor shift IS only). Walking around shooting video with the camera gives remarkably smooth, not-jerky, watchable footage.
23 /25
ABOVE Whether you’re already an Olympus user or new to the brand, you should find the OM-D E-M5 Mark III gives great usability, as well as fine pictures
94 /100
the mechanical option, with AF/AE tracking, and that is still good enough for non-action shooters. Using a SanDisk Extreme Pro 170MB/s SD card at 10fps with the mechanical shutter, I got 22 Raws before it started buffering, and the buffer then took around 12 seconds to clear. While in Pro Capture mode you can shoot at 30fps with fixed focus, or 10fps with tracking; in this mode the camera starts capturing with part-depression of the shutter button, and then only records images up to 0.5 sec previously once it is fully depressed. Generally, whether you are a newbie to the series or an existing series owner, I think you will be impressed with the camera’s layout, delivery of great pictures and overall usability. WC
A big benefit to stills and video shooting is the camera’s physical performance, with skilful exposure and white-balance control. Perhaps most impressive was its AF skills – here it proved quick, smooth and decisive in a broad range of conditions, and only consistently failed if the focus point was aimed at areas of plain, even tone like a blue sky. The face detect also works assuredly and does well tracking people as they walk across the image area, and sensitivity in poor contrast and low light scenes was very good, too. Rapid shooting of full resolution Raw files is an Olympus trait and that applies here, although it’s not up to the speed of the Olympus’s pro-orientated cameras. The OM-D E-M5 Mark III gives 10fps with its electronic shutter and 6fps with
PROS Really portable camera, good handling, smart AF, versatile, IBIS, USB charging, lovely EVF CONS No headphone socket, no focus lever, one SD slot
52 Photography News | Issue 72
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