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Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-M1 III

The Nikon D780 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2020 and February 2020. The D780 is a DSLR, while the E-M1 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (D780) and a Four Thirds (E-M1 III) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24.3 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
Nikon D780
versus
Olympus E-M1 III
Nikon D780   Olympus E-M1 III
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
24.3 MP – Full Frame sensor 20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800) ISO 200-25,600
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.2" LCD – 2359k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Tilting touchscreen Swivel touchscreen
12 shutter flaps per second 18 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
2260 shots per battery charge420 shots per battery charge
144 x 116 x 76 mm, 840 g 134 x 91 x 69 mm, 580 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D780 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D780 and the Olympus E-M1 III is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-M1 III
Compare D780 versus E-M1 III top
Comparison D780 or E-M1 III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-M1 III is notably smaller (27 percent) than the Nikon D780. Moreover, the E-M1 III is markedly lighter (31 percent) than the D780. 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 Nikon Lens Catalog (D780) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M1 III). Mirrorless cameras, such as the E-M1 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 D780 gets 2260 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL15b battery, while the E-M1 III can take 420 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLH-1 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, 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. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D780 144 mm 116 mm 76 mm 840 g 2260 Y Jan 2020 2,299 amazon.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 6D 145 mm 111 mm 71 mm 770 g 1090 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D6 160 mm 163 mm 92 mm 1270 g 3580 Y Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D600 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon Df 144 mm 110 mm 67 mm 760 g 1400 Y Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon Z6 II 134 mm 101 mm 70 mm 705 g 410 Y Oct 2020 1,999 amazon.com
13.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-M1X 144 mm 147 mm 75 mm 997 g 870 Y Jan 2019 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
OM System OM-1 135 mm 92 mm 73 mm 599 g 520 Y Feb 2022 2,199ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G9 137 mm 97 mm 92 mm 658 g 400 Y Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic G95 130 mm 94 mm 77 mm 536 g 290 Y Apr 2019 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 E-M1 III was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 22 percent) than the D780, 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 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 Nikon D780 features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-M1 III a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M1 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 D780 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M1 III offers a 4:3 aspect.

Nikon D780 and Olympus E-M1 III sensor measures

With 24.3MP, the D780 offers a higher resolution than the E-M1 III (20.2MP), but the D780 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 3.34μm for the E-M1 III) due to its larger sensor. 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-M1 III has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D780 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D780 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.2 x 20.1 inches or 76.8 x 51.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.2 x 16.1 inches or 61.4 x 40.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.2 x 13.4 inches or 51.2 x 34.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-M1 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 D780, the E-M1 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 Nikon D780 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 50-204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the D780 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the E-M1 III uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D780 versus E-M1 III MP

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.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D780 Full Frame 24.3 6048 40244K/30p25.314.3287795
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
3.
 
Canon 6D Full Frame 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.812.1234082
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.9286285
5.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
6.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
7.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
8.
 
Nikon D600 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.2298094
9.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
10.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
11.
 
Nikon Df Full Frame 16.2 4928 3280none24.613.1327989
12.
 
Nikon Z6 II Full Frame 24.3 6048 40244K/60p25.014.4330394
13.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
14.
 
Olympus E-M1X Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0125475
15.
 
OM System OM-1 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.413.4155377
16.
 
Panasonic G9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.112.8113874
17.
 
Panasonic G95 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0127375
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the E-M1 III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D780 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 E-M1 III has a higher magnification than the one of the D780 (0.74x vs 0.70x), 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 Nikon D780 and Olympus E-M1 III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Nikon D780optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n n
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon 6Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Nikon D600optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon Dfoptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
12.
 
Nikon Z6 II3690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n Y
13.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
14.
 
Olympus E-M1X2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
15.
 
OM System OM-15760 n3.0 / 1640 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Panasonic G93680 Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
17.
 
Panasonic G952360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the D780, but is missing on the E-M1 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-M1 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 D780 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-M1 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 Nikon D780 and the Olympus E-M1 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 D780 and the E-M1 III write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. However, while the D780 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s) on both slots, the E-M1 III supports UHS-II only on its first slot and UHS-I (data transfer speed up to 104 MB/s) on the second one.

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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 Nikon D780 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D780Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
3.
 
Canon 6DYmono / monoY-mini2.0Y--
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
6.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
8.
 
Nikon D600Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
11.
 
Nikon DfY- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon Z6 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
13.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
14.
 
Olympus E-M1XYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
15.
 
OM System OM-1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
16.
 
Panasonic G9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.0Y-Y
17.
 
Panasonic G95Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

The D780 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the E-M1 III has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the E-M1 III was succeeded by the OM System OM-1. Further information on the features and operation of the D780 and E-M1 III can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D780 Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-M1 III Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D780 or the Olympus E-M1 III – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Nikon D780:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24.3 vs 20.2MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
  • 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.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • 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 (2359k vs 1037k dots).
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (2260 versus 420) on a single battery charge.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 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.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.70x).
  • 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 burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 12 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (134x91mm vs 144x116mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 260g or 31 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • 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 released into a lower priced segment (22 percent cheaper at launch).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M1 III emerges as the winner of the match-up (13 : 11 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

D780 11:13 E-M1 III

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D780 and the Olympus E-M1 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D780 or the E-M1 III perform in practice. 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], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D7805/5..5/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2020 2,299 amazon.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 6D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D6004/5+ +..87/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon Df4/5....81/1004/54/5 Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon Z6 II4.5/5..4/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2020 1,999 amazon.com
13.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-M1X4.5/5o5/585/1004.5/5.. Jan 2019 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
OM System OM-15/5....87/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2022 2,199ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G9..+ +5/585/1005/55/5 Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic G954.5/5+4.5/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2019 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time 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.

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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: Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-M1 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 Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date January 2020 February 2020
    Launch Price USD 2,299 USD 1,799
    Sensor Specs Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.9 x 23.9 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 858.01 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.1 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24.3 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.94 μm 3.34 μm
    Pixel Density 2.84 MP/cm2 8.96 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 51,200 ISO 200 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 204,800 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 6 TruePic IX
    Screen Specs Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.74x
    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 2359k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s 18 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations400 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support Dual UHS-II Single UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.1 USB 3.1
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D780 Olympus E-M1 III
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL15b Olympus BLH-1
    Battery Life (CIPA)2260 shots per charge420 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76 mm
    (5.7 x 4.6 x 3.0 in)
    134 x 91 x 69 mm
    (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)
    Camera Weight 840 g (29.6 oz) 580 g (20.5 oz)
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