Canon 1D X Mark III vs Olympus E-M5 III
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2020 and October 2019. The 1DX Mark III is a DSLR, while the E-M5 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (1DX Mark III) and a Four Thirds (E-M5 III) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 20.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The physical size and weight of the Canon 1D X Mark III and the Olympus E-M5 III are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The E-M5 III can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 1DX Mark III is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-M5 III is considerably smaller (60 percent) than the Canon 1D X Mark III. Moreover, the E-M5 III is substantially lighter (71 percent) than the 1DX Mark III. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1DX Mark III) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M5 III). Mirrorless cameras, such as the E-M5 III, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.
Concerning battery life, the 1DX Mark III gets 2850 shots out of its Canon LP-E19 battery, while the E-M5 III can take 310 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLS-50 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1DX Mark III has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the E-M5 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1D X Mark III | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1440 g | 2850 | Y | Jan 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
2. | Olympus E-M5 III | 125 mm | 85 mm | 50 mm | 414 g | 310 | Y | Oct 2019 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon R3 | 150 mm | 143 mm | 87 mm | 1015 g | 760 | Y | Sep 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
4. | Canon 1D X Mark II | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1530 g | 1210 | Y | Feb 2016 | 5,999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1D C | 158 mm | 164 mm | 83 mm | 1545 g | 1120 | Y | Apr 2012 | 14,999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 5D Mark III | 152 mm | 116 mm | 76 mm | 950 g | 950 | Y | Mar 2012 | 3,499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 6D | 145 mm | 111 mm | 71 mm | 770 g | 1090 | Y | Sep 2012 | 2,099 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 1D X | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1551 g | 1120 | Y | Oct 2011 | 6,799 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | 152 mm | 114 mm | 75 mm | 850 g | 850 | Y | Sep 2008 | 3,499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | 150 mm | 160 mm | 80 mm | 1385 g | 1800 | Y | Aug 2007 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | 156 mm | 158 mm | 80 mm | 1215 g | 1200 | Y | Sep 2004 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D6 | 160 mm | 163 mm | 92 mm | 1270 g | 3580 | Y | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
13. | Olympus PEN-F | 125 mm | 72 mm | 37 mm | 427 g | 330 | n | Jan 2016 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-M5 II | 124 mm | 85 mm | 45 mm | 469 g | 310 | Y | Feb 2015 | 1,099 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-M1 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 63 mm | 497 g | 350 | Y | Sep 2013 | 1,399 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-M5 | 122 mm | 89 mm | 43 mm | 425 g | 360 | Y | Feb 2012 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
17. | Panasonic GX8 | 133 mm | 78 mm | 63 mm | 487 g | 330 | Y | Jul 2015 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The E-M5 III was launched at a markedly lower price (by 82 percent) than the 1DX Mark III, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D X Mark III features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-M5 III a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M5 III is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the 1DX Mark III has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M5 III offers a 4:3 aspect.
Despite having a smaller sensor, the E-M5 III offers a slightly higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the 1DX Mark III. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 6.57μm for the 1DX Mark III). It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the E-M5 III has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
Unlike the 1DX Mark III, the E-M5 III has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 102400, which can be extended to ISO 50-819200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.2 | 14.5 | 3248 | 91 | |
2. | Olympus E-M5 III | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.3 | 13.1 | 1324 | 76 | |
3. | Canon R3 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/60p | 25.0 | 14.7 | 4086 | 96 | |
4. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.1 | 13.5 | 3207 | 88 | |
5. | Canon 1D C | Full Frame | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 4K/24p | 24.3 | 13.0 | 2155 | 85 | |
6. | Canon 5D Mark III | Full Frame | 22.1 | 5760 | 3840 | 1080/30p | 24.0 | 11.7 | 2293 | 81 | |
7. | Canon 6D | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 12.1 | 2340 | 82 | |
8. | Canon 1D X | Full Frame | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 11.8 | 2786 | 82 | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | Full Frame | 21.0 | 5616 | 3744 | 1080/30p | 23.7 | 11.9 | 1815 | 79 | |
10. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Full Frame | 21.0 | 5616 | 3744 | none | 24.0 | 12.0 | 1663 | 80 | |
11. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | Full Frame | 16.6 | 4992 | 3328 | none | 23.3 | 11.3 | 1480 | 74 | |
12. | Nikon D6 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2886 | 95 | |
13. | Olympus PEN-F | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 23.1 | 12.4 | 894 | 74 | |
14. | Olympus E-M5 II | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 23.0 | 12.5 | 842 | 73 | |
15. | Olympus E-M1 | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 23.0 | 12.7 | 757 | 73 | |
16. | Olympus E-M5 | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60i | 22.8 | 12.3 | 826 | 71 | |
17. | Panasonic GX8 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.5 | 12.6 | 806 | 75 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the 1DX Mark III provides a higher frame rate than the E-M5 III. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Olympus is limited to 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the E-M5 III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 1DX Mark III has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the 1DX Mark III has a higher magnification than the one of the E-M5 III (0.76x vs 0.68x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 1D X Mark III and Olympus E-M5 III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
# | Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1D X Mark III | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Olympus E-M5 III | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
3. | Canon R3 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 4150 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
4. | Canon 1D X Mark II | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1620 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 16.0/s | n | n | |
5. | Canon 1D C | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
6. | Canon 5D Mark III | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | n | |
7. | Canon 6D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.5/s | n | n | |
8. | Canon 1D X | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.9/s | n | n | |
10. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | optical | Y | 2.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 4.0/s | n | n | |
12. | Nikon D6 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2359 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
13. | Olympus PEN-F | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
14. | Olympus E-M5 II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
15. | Olympus E-M1 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
16. | Olympus E-M5 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 610 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
17. | Panasonic GX8 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One feature that is present on the 1DX Mark III, but is missing on the E-M5 III is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.
The E-M5 III has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the 1DX Mark III does not have a selfie-screen.The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the E-M5 III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Canon 1D X Mark III and the Olympus E-M5 III both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The 1DX Mark III writes its imaging data to CFexpress (type B) cards, while the E-M5 III uses SDXC cards. The 1DX Mark III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the E-M5 III only has one slot.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
2. | Olympus E-M5 III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
3. | Canon R3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Canon 1D X Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 1D C | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon 5D Mark III | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon 6D | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Canon 1D X | Y | mono / - | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | Y | mono / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
12. | Nikon D6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
13. | Olympus PEN-F | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
14. | Olympus E-M5 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
15. | Olympus E-M1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
16. | Olympus E-M5 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Panasonic GX8 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the 1DX Mark III has a headphone jack, which is not present on the E-M5 III This port makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D X Mark III (unlike the E-M5 III) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 1DX Mark III has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
The 1DX Mark III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the E-M5 III has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the E-M5 III was succeeded by the OM System OM-5. Further information on the features and operation of the 1DX Mark III and E-M5 III can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1D X Mark III Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-M5 III Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1D X Mark III and the Olympus E-M5 III? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
- Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
- Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.68x).
- Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1040k dots).
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (2850 versus 310) on a single battery charge.
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III:
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- More compact: Is smaller (125x85mm vs 158x168mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 1026g or 71 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (82 percent cheaper at launch).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 1DX Mark III is the clear winner of the match-up (19 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D X Mark III and the Olympus E-M5 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 1DX Mark III and the E-M5 III in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.
Expert reviews
This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 1D X Mark III | .. | + + | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
2. | Olympus E-M5 III | 5/5 | + | 5/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2019 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon R3 | 5/5 | o | 4.5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
4. | Canon 1D X Mark II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | 5,999 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1D C | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Apr 2012 | 14,999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 5D Mark III | .. | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2012 | 3,499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 6D | 5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 2,099 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 1D X | 5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2011 | 6,799 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 5D Mark II | 4/5 | 91/100 | .. | 79/100 | 4/5 | .. | Sep 2008 | 3,499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 1Ds Mark III | .. | .. | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | .. | Aug 2007 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 1Ds Mark II | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Sep 2004 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D6 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
13. | Olympus PEN-F | .. | .. | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2016 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-M5 II | 5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 81/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2015 | 1,099 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-M1 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2013 | 1,399 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-M5 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2012 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
17. | Panasonic GX8 | 5/5 | + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2015 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Canon 70D
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Canon R5 C
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Nikon D3S
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Olympus Stylus 1
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Panasonic GH5
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Sony A6300
- Canon G9 X Mark II vs Olympus E-M5 III
- Fujifilm GFX 50S II vs Olympus E-M5 III
- Leica M-E Typ 240 vs Olympus E-M5 III
- Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 III
- Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A5000
- Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony A5100
Specifications: Canon 1D X Mark III vs Olympus E-M5 III
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Mirrorless system camera |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | Micro Four Thirds lenses |
Launch Date | January 2020 | October 2019 |
Launch Price | USD 6,499 | USD 1,199 |
Sensor Specs | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | Four Thirds Sensor |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | 224.9 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | 21.6 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | 2.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 20 Megapixels | 20.2 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5472 x 3648 pixels | 5184 x 3888 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 6.57 μm | 3.34 μm |
Pixel Density | 2.31 MP/cm2 | 8.96 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 4K/60p Video | 4K/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 102,400 ISO | 200 - 25,600 ISO |
ISO Boost | 50 - 819,200 ISO | 64 - 25,600 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC X | TruePic VIII |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 91 | .. |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 24.2 | .. |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 14.5 | .. |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 3248 | .. |
Screen Specs | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.76x | 0.68x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | no Top Display |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.2inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 2100k dots | 1040k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Swivel screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous Shooting | 20 shutter flaps/s | 10 shutter flaps/s |
Electronic Shutter | no E-Shutter | up to 1/32000s |
Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | Intervalometer built-in |
Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | no On-Board Flash |
Storage Medium | CFexB cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
Connectivity Specs | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
USB Connector | USB 3.1 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | micro HDMI |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | External MIC port |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | no Headphone port |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | Wifi built-in |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | Bluetooth built-in |
Geotagging | GPS built-in | no internal GPS |
Body Specs | Canon 1D X Mark III | Olympus E-M5 III |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
Battery Type | Canon LP-E19 | Olympus BLS-50 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 2850 shots per charge | 310 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
158 x 168 x 83 mm (6.2 x 6.6 x 3.3 in) |
125 x 85 x 50 mm (4.9 x 3.3 x 2.0 in) |
Camera Weight | 1440 g (50.8 oz) | 414 g (14.6 oz) |
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