Mirrorless cameras are improving, with companies renewing their lineup almost every year, like what Olympus and Fujifilm did with Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Fujifilm XT3. These cameras are a good starter for beginners and enthusiasts ready to commit to a hobby or career. Both cameras boast the same sensor and fantastic image quality familiar to the respective systems. Today we will see what you can expect from the two, the notable differences, and which fits you best. In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Which Camera to Buy
- What are Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
- How is the Design of Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
- What are the Camera Specs of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
- How is the Image Quality from Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
- How is the Video Recording in Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Fujifilm XT3
Buying a New Camera
Many can affect your camera performance and overall user experience. The first factor to consider is size and handling because they affect how you can use the camera. Second is the fixed or interchangeable lens system, depending on your budget and what you need. The third is the camera’s performance, such as image quality from the sensor, autofocus, image stabilization, etc. If you also use the camera for recording, ensure that it can record at your preferred setting, such as 4K 30fps, HDR, 10-bit internal recording, etc.
About Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3
The best camera is the one that fits your application and offers what you need. Because not everyone shoots the same object or uses the camera for the same purpose, finding a general rule to follow is challenging. Choosing a camera is highly subjective, and at a point, you may have other factors to consider, such as budget and a system that is already familiar to you. Nowadays, companies are about mirrorless cameras as they focus on this camera type with its growing number of users.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 are some of the most famous iterations in recent years. Their predecessors established these cameras and are in the same price range. Both beginners and enthusiasts should find these cameras relatively compact and versatile. You can’t go wrong with either of them, especially if the brand is not an essential factor. The E-M5 is a popular camera thanks to its form, making it feel great for more mobile shooters, unlike the E-M1 series with its professional system.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 have notable differences affecting their overall experience. First, the XT3 has a better sensor, and if you often crop the picture, this camera will give a cleaner and more detailed result. Second, if you are into self-recording, the E-M5 Mark III is the better hybrid camera for its smaller sensor and rotating screen. Third, the XT3 has an image stabilization which is missing from the other . Read also: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Canon M50 here.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 Design
Not everyone considers the camera shape or size when buying one, despite how crucial it is for the handling experience. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 are compact mirrorlesses with a small grip to stabilize the unit. Both cameras support weather sealing to sustain outdoor uses. Olympus always has one of the best customizable controls in the market, but the XT3 is similarly good. These cameras have an impressive EVF, but XT3 wins with 3.6M dot EVF versus 2.3M on the E-M5 Mark III.
The EVF clearance prevents your nose from touching the screen, but it may vary among users. The rear screen is touch-sensitive, which can be annoying if there is not enough distance to avoid accidental contact. While the screen resolution is good at 1M dots for both cameras, the XT3’s tilting screen is less favorable than E-M5’s that rotate away from its body.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 Camera Specs
Let’s see what the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 can offer, starting from the camera specs. You may already know that E-M5 uses the smaller micro four-thirds sensor and 20MP effective pixel while the latter uses an APS-C 26MP sensor. The sensor difference will translate into mostly the image resolution and low-light performance. Note that these cameras are interchangeable systems, meaning your lens choice affects the overall image quality, such as brightness, clarity, depth of field, focal length, etc.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 Image Quality
Both cameras deliver an impressive performance for image quality. Each company has its color processing signature; if you are a fan of one, it is wise to stick with your favorite. The difference from the side-by-side comparison of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 picture is that the latter produces a more pleasant color, especially for the green presentation. Fujifilm’s Standard profile is similar to Canon with more prominent or pop-out colors. Olympus sticks with its signature color, which makes green look warmer.
Like most cameras, shooting at the lowest ISO is almost always the best. The larger sensor gives XT3 a slight advantage in maintaining details and suppressing the noise level, especially when capturing text. Surprisingly, the low-light performance is similar just because XT3 has a bigger sensor; the detail levels are very similar at the same ISO level, and we don’t think ISO 51,200 is useful in real applications.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 Video
If you also record video on these cameras, the XT30 records 4K 60fps internally. This camera also records 10bit internal when you select the H.265 compression. As for the color, Fujifilm’s standard color profile is beautiful, but you can also record F-Log for color editing. The E-M5 also records in a flat profile, but the color is still too saturated for a greater dynamic range, and the 4K is 30fps. However, the most significant advantage of the E-M5 is in-body image stabilization which is somehow missing on the XT3; you need to rely on lens stabilization.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Fujifilm XT3
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3 are excellent cameras for the price, and both have pros and cons. The image quality is equally impressive at low ISO, but XT3 gives crisper details when you crop or zoom, thanks to the bigger sensor. The Fujifilm and Olympus color processing is different, with Fuji looking more saturated and Olympus on the warmer side. The video recording is similarly pleasing, but we prefer the E-M5 Mark III screen and stabilization, making the camera perfect for run-and-gun applications.
Conclusion
There is no bad option between Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Fujifilm XT3, as neither is perfect. We recommend the XT3 if you mostly do still shooting. The E-M5 is a more versatile choice because it is great for stills and fantastic for videos, making it an ideal solution for hybrid users.