Olympus unveils the E-M1 Mark III, a functional but iterative professional camera
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Just a calendar year right after asserting the prosumer OM-D E-M1X, and a number of months immediately after revitalizing the common E-M5 series, Olympus these days declared a different camera slotting in in between individuals two: the OM=D E-M1 Mark III. Very long story short, it takes a quite very similar physique to the Mark II and updates it with some of the goodies introduced on the E-M1X.
I was ready to commit some time with the Mark III in beautiful Costa Rica right before launch. My entire arms-on post will adhere to, but for now, here’s what you have to have to know: On paper, it is not a large up grade above the E-M1 MKII, with some specs hunting positively outdated relative to the competitiveness. But getting the camera as a entire, I however feel it is one particular of the most multipurpose cameras for photographers concentrated on stills at its price tag level.

Acquire a search at the E-M1 MKIII’s specs and it could be difficult to instantly location the distinctions towards its predecessor. It however uses a 20MP 4-Thirds sensor, smaller than the APS-C or entire-frame sensors viewed on most other large-stop cameras. It still shoots 18 frames per next with the mechanical shutter, or 60 frames working with the digital shutter (at the price of some dynamic array). It nevertheless has the same 2.36M dot Lcd viewfinder when the competition has mostly moved on to better resolution models. And 4K video clip is nonetheless restricted to 24fps at the maximum good quality setting.
But there are meaningful advancements far too. To list some of the most significant kinds:
- Olympus’ assert to fame has normally been its course-top in-entire body graphic stabilization. This time close to, the business claims it can attain up to 7 stops of stabilization with the crafted-in mechanism by yourself, or 7.5 stops applying one particular of the several lenses with added optical stabilization.
- A single of the E-M1 MKII’s coolest attributes was the means to merge a number of pictures into one 50-megapixel impression with increased high-quality – primarily matching the excellent of a entire-frame digital camera. The dilemma was it required a tripod, but not any more. Borrowed from the E-M1X, the E-M1 MKIII now supports a handheld superior-res manner. Though it’s a bit much less sharp than using the tripod system (which is however available), the final results are a really evident advancement about the typical 20-megapixel pictures. The approach requires benefit of our own shaky arms to mix 16 photographs, considerably identical to how Google’s Pixel 4 captures high-resolution telephoto shots.
- Dwell ND filter: Also borrowed from the E-M1X is the capability to develop prolonged-exposure daylight shots devoid of the common blown-out highlights – up to 5 stops.
- There’s a new joystick for immediately shifting your autofocus level, nevertheless you can configure the touchscreen for this when using the viewfinder as very well.
- Starry Sky Autofocus lets the digicam do the tough function of razor-sharp focusing on the night time sky. If you have at any time attempted to do so manually, this element can be a huge reduction.
- The MKIII’s shutter is now rated for 400,000 actuations, doubling its predecessor and creating it one of the most resilient on the industry should those figures maintain up.
- Olympus claims it is revamped its deal with detection algorithm to be far more correct, and the MKIII tends to make it uncomplicated to switch amongst unique subjects and personal eyes.
- The camera can now be billed by using USB-C – bless the heavens – even making use of a electrical power financial institution.

More specs are offered on Olympus’ web-site. Alongside with the E-M1 MKIII, the firm also declared a extra petite camera human body, the E-PL10. The firm also unveiled its new 12-45mm F4 Professional lens, a compact zoom for photographers prioritizing touring light-weight in excess of aperture sizing or zoom selection
The E-M1 MKIII will be accessible beginning February 24, and it is priced like a large-end digicam. It will charge $1,799.99 for the entire body only, $2,499.99 with the 12-40 F2.8 Pro lens, or $2,899.99 with the 12-100 F4..
When some will lament the price tag given you can get an APS-C or total-frame digital camera for that sort of income – specifically specified the fairly couple of components updates this time all around – you’d however be tough-pressed to locate a digital camera as flexible as the E-M1 MKIII. For many a specialist Micro 4 Thirds consumer, it is the mix of sizing, lens high-quality, functionality, and dependability that keeps them tied to the procedure.
I’ve relished my time with the MKIII and its new options, but as a extensive-time Olympus shooter, I was likely pre-disposed to. I just hope the E-M1 MKIV delivers some greater enhancements to the spec sheet far too. Remain tuned for further more impressions.
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Revealed February 12, 2020 — 22:59 UTC