Fujifilm X-E3 vs Olympus E-M5 III

The Fujifilm X-E3 and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2017 and October 2019. Both the X-E3 and the E-M5 III are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (X-E3) and a Four Thirds (E-M5 III) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 24 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.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X-E3		Olympus E-M5 III
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 200-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge		310 shots per battery charge
121 x 74 x 43 mm, 337 g		125 x 85 x 50 mm, 414 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-E3 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 Fujifilm X-E3 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 width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

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 notably larger (19 percent) than the Fujifilm X-E3. Moreover, the E-M5 III is markedly heavier (23 percent) than the X-E3. It is noteworthy in this context that the E-M5 III is splash and dust-proof, while the X-E3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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 Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E3) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M5 III). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the X-E3 gets 350 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the E-M5 III can take 310 images on a single charge of its BLS-50 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-E3	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	1,199
3.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
4.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
5.		Fujifilm X-E4	121 mm	73 mm	33 mm	364 g	380	n	Jan 2021	849
6.		Fujifilm X-T30	118 mm	83 mm	47 mm	383 g	380	n	Feb 2019	899
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399
8.		Fujifilm X-T20	118 mm	83 mm	41 mm	383 g	350	n	Jan 2017	899
9.		Fujifilm X70	113 mm	64 mm	44 mm	340 g	330	n	Jan 2016	799
10.		Fujifilm X-A3	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	339 g	410	n	Aug 2016	399
11.		Fujifilm X-E2S	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Jan 2016	699
12.		Olympus PEN-F	125 mm	72 mm	37 mm	427 g	330	n	Jan 2016	1,199
13.		Olympus E-M5 II	124 mm	85 mm	45 mm	469 g	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099
14.		Olympus E-M1	130 mm	94 mm	63 mm	497 g	350	Y	Sep 2013	1,399
15.		Olympus E-M5	122 mm	89 mm	43 mm	425 g	360	Y	Feb 2012	1,299
16.		Panasonic GX8	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199
17.		Sony RX100 V	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	299 g	220	n	Oct 2016	999
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The X-E3 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 25 percent) than the E-M5 III, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X-E3 features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus E-M5 III a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M5 III is 39 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the X-E3 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M5 III offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 24MP, the X-E3 offers a higher resolution than the E-M5 III (20.2MP), but the X-E3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 3.34μm for the E-M5 III) due to its larger sensor. However, the E-M5 III is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the X-E3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm X-E3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X-E3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-M5 III are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the X-E3, 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 Fujifilm X-E3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. 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.

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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X-E4	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Fujifilm X-T30	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X-T20	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
9.		Fujifilm X70	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X-A3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
11.		Fujifilm X-E2S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
12.		Olympus PEN-F	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	23.1	12.4	894	74
13.		Olympus E-M5 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.0	12.5	842	73
14.		Olympus E-M1	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	757	73
15.		Olympus E-M5	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	22.8	12.3	826	71
16.		Panasonic GX8	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.5	12.6	806	75
17.		Sony RX100 V	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.4	586	70

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the X-E3 provides a higher frame rate than the E-M5 III. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The X-E3 and the E-M5 III are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 2360k dots. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X-E3, the Olympus E-M5 III, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
4.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
5.		Fujifilm X-E4	2360	n	3.0	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T30	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X-T20	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
9.		Fujifilm X70	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X-A3	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm X-E2S	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	n
12.		Olympus PEN-F	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Olympus E-M5 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Olympus E-M1	2360	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Olympus E-M5	1440	n	3.0	610	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	n	Y
16.		Panasonic GX8	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
17.		Sony RX100 V	2359	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y

One feature that differentiates the E-M5 III and the X-E3 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The E-M5 III reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the X-E3 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 Fujifilm X-E3 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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X-E3 and the E-M5 III write their files to SDXC cards. The E-M5 III supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the X-E3 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

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 Fujifilm X-E3 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.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-E4	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-T30	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm X-T20	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X70	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X-A3	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Fujifilm X-E2S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Olympus PEN-F	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Olympus E-M5 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Olympus E-M1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Olympus E-M5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic GX8	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX100 V	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Both the X-E3 and the E-M5 III are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The X-E3 replaced the earlier Fujifilm X-E2S, while the E-M5 III followed on from the Olympus E-M5 II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X-E3 and the Olympus E-M5 III? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-E3:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20.2MP) with a 11% higher linear resolution.
• 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/30p versus 4K/30p).
• More compact: Is smaller (121x74mm vs 125x85mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 77g or 19 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (350 versus 310) on a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (25 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2017).

Arguments in favor of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.41x).
• 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.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the X-E3 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-E3 comes out slightly ahead of the E-M5 III (11 : 10 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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 Fujifilm X-E3 and the Olympus E-M5 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing 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 X-E3 and the E-M5 III in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-E3	4.5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	1,199
3.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
4.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
5.		Fujifilm X-E4	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2021	849
6.		Fujifilm X-T30	5/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	899
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	..	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399
8.		Fujifilm X-T20	5/5	+ +	82/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899
9.		Fujifilm X70	4.5/5	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799
10.		Fujifilm X-A3	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2016	399
11.		Fujifilm X-E2S	4.5/5	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699
12.		Olympus PEN-F	..	..	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,199
13.		Olympus E-M5 II	5/5	+ +	81/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099
14.		Olympus E-M1	5/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	1,399
15.		Olympus E-M5	4/5	+ +	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	Feb 2012	1,299
16.		Panasonic GX8	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199
17.		Sony RX100 V	4.5/5	+ +	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. 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. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Fujifilm X-E3 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.

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