Fujifilm X20 vs Olympus E-M5 III

The Fujifilm X20 and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2013 and October 2019. The X20 is a fixed lens compact, while the E-M5 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 2/3 (X20) and a Four Thirds (E-M5 III) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 12 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 X20		Olympus E-M5 III
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
28-112mm f/2.0-2.8		Micro Four Thirds lenses
12 MP, Two Thirds Sensor		20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 200-25,600
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.8 LCD, 460k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
12 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilization		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
270 shots per battery charge		310 shots per battery charge
117 x 70 x 57 mm, 353 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 X20 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 X20 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.

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 (30 percent) than the Fujifilm X20. It is noteworthy in this context that the E-M5 III is splash and dust-proof, while the X20 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X20 has a lens built in, whereas the E-M5 III is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the E-M5 III and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X20 gets 270 shots out of its NP-50 battery, while the E-M5 III can take 310 images on a single charge of its BLS-50 power pack. The power pack in the E-M5 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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 X20	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	353 g	270	n	Jan 2013	599
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	1,199
3.		Canon G7 X	103 mm	60 mm	40 mm	304 g	210	n	Sep 2014	699
4.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	549
5.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	499
6.		Fujifilm X30	119 mm	72 mm	60 mm	423 g	470	n	Aug 2014	599
7.		Fujifilm XQ1	100 mm	59 mm	33 mm	206 g	240	n	Oct 2013	499
8.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	599
9.		Leica D-LUX 6	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Sep 2012	699
10.		Nikon P7800	119 mm	78 mm	50 mm	399 g	350	n	Sep 2013	549
11.		Olympus PEN-F	125 mm	72 mm	37 mm	427 g	330	n	Jan 2016	1,199
12.		Olympus E-M5 II	124 mm	85 mm	45 mm	469 g	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099
13.		Olympus E-M1	130 mm	94 mm	63 mm	497 g	350	Y	Sep 2013	1,399
14.		Olympus Stylus 1	116 mm	87 mm	57 mm	402 g	410	n	Oct 2013	699
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.		Panasonic LX7	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Jul 2012	499
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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X20 was launched at a lower price than the E-M5 III, despite having a lens built in. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X20 features a 2/3 sensor and the Olympus E-M5 III a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M5 III is 288 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 3.9 and 2.0. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

With 20.2MP, the E-M5 III offers a higher resolution than the X20 (12MP), but the E-M5 III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 2.20μm for the X20) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the E-M5 III is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 9 months) than the X20, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. 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 Olympus E-M5 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-M5 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm X20 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the X20, 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 X20 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. 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.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X20	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon G7 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	23.0	12.7	556	71
4.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
5.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
6.		Fujifilm X30	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm XQ1	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
9.		Leica D-LUX 6	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
10.		Nikon P7800	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	21.2	11.7	200	54
11.		Olympus PEN-F	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	23.1	12.4	894	74
12.		Olympus E-M5 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.0	12.5	842	73
13.		Olympus E-M1	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	757	73
14.		Olympus Stylus 1	1/1.7	11.8	3968	2976	1080/30p	20.7	11.6	179	51
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.		Panasonic LX7	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	20.7	11.7	147	50

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the E-M5 III provides a better video resolution than the X20. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-M5 III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the X20 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X20 and Olympus E-M5 III in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar 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 X20	optical	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Canon G7 X	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	6.5	Y	Y
4.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2	Y	Y
5.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1	Y	Y
6.		Fujifilm X30	2360	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
7.		Fujifilm XQ1	none	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
8.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y
9.		Leica D-LUX 6	optional	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0	Y	Y
10.		Nikon P7800	921	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	Y
11.		Olympus PEN-F	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
12.		Olympus E-M5 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Olympus E-M1	2360	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Olympus Stylus 1	1440	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	7.0	Y	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.		Panasonic LX7	optional	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0	Y	Y

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The X20 has one, while the E-M5 III does not. While the built-in flash of the X20 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

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 Olympus E-M5 III has 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 X20 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 X20 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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 X20 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 X20	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon G7 X	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon G16	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Canon G15	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Fujifilm X30	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm XQ1	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Leica D-LUX 6	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon P7800	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Olympus PEN-F	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Olympus E-M5 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Olympus E-M1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Olympus Stylus 1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	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.		Panasonic LX7	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the E-M5 III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the X20 does not provide wifi capability.

The E-M5 III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Olympus. In contrast, the X20 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X20 was succeeded by the Fujifilm X30. 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 conclusions can be drawn? Is the Fujifilm X20 better than the Olympus E-M5 III or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X20:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the E-M5 III requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x70mm vs 125x85mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the E-M5 III).
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2013).

Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20.2 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 30%.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 460k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• 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.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (310 versus 270) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 9 months of technical progress since the X20 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M5 III is the clear winner of the contest (25 : 8 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 sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape 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 X20 and the Olympus E-M5 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom 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 X20 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 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], 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 X20	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	599
2.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	1,199
3.		Canon G7 X	4/5	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699
4.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549
5.		Canon G15	4/5	+	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499
6.		Fujifilm X30	4/5	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2014	599
7.		Fujifilm XQ1	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	499
8.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	599
9.		Leica D-LUX 6	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Sep 2012	699
10.		Nikon P7800	3/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	549
11.		Olympus PEN-F	..	..	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,199
12.		Olympus E-M5 II	5/5	+ +	81/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099
13.		Olympus E-M1	5/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	1,399
14.		Olympus Stylus 1	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	699
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.		Panasonic LX7	3/5	+ +	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	499
Notes: (+ +) 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 rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Fujifilm X20 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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