Many camera manufacturers focus on their mirrorless systems, like what Olympus and Sony did with Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Sony A6400. These cameras are perfect for everyone looking for a compact design but still powerful for different applications. Both companies put some advanced technologies in these respective cameras to cater to similarly passionate users. Today we will see what you can expect from the two and which camera you may like better.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- What are Micro Four Thirds and APS-C Sensors
- What are Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400
- How is the Design of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400
- How are the Camera Specs of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400
- How is the Image Quality from Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400
- How are the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 for Video Recording
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Sony A6400
Micro Four Thirds and APS-C
A camera sensor is a crucial part of your device because it is the light-gathering component that translates the information coming through the lens to an image you can view from the EVF or rear screen. Camera sensors come in different sizes, like micro four-thirds and APS-C. Generally, APS-C is about 1.6 times bigger than MFT. The bigger sensor receives more information, but the smaller sensor has a tighter pixel density. Performance varies depending on what you look for, but neither sensor is perfect for photographers with varying demands.
About Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400
With leading companies focusing on their flagship cameras with a full-frame sensor, we may see the end of exciting APS-C cameras sometime in the future. But you still have plenty of options today as different companies offer different advantages. On the other hand, only two famous companies still make micro four-thirds cameras; Panasonic and Olympus. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 are excellent cameras with these crop factors, OM system with the MFT, and Sony with its APS-C sensor.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 are attractive choices in the budget, so you may wonder which to go for. Neither camera is a bad option, but your preference matters the most. The A6400 is a great camera for its size and overall capabilities, especially if you have been a fan of Sony’s autofocus system. Unfortunately, it could be a stronger contender against E-M5 Mark III, which comes out around the same time. This camera may have a smaller sensor, but it can optimize the performance and features.
Some people prefer the MFT crop sensor because it is boxier, while APS-C may look thinner. The E-M5 Mark III has a 20MP sensor versus 24MP on A6400; it is a smaller pixel number, but the smaller space to fit these pixels translates into greater pixel density. The video recording is also an exciting part to consider. The biggest drawback of the A6400 is the lack of image stabilization, so you must put the camera on a tripod or use a lens with optical stabilization. Read also: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Fujifilm XT3 here.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 Design
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400’s shape and form factor make them fantastic cameras for street photography, travelers, vloggers, etc. The body is solid and weather-sealed for outdoor uses. The grip could be better on both cameras, especially when mounting a larger lens but still manageable. Customizable is better on Olympus, but Sony is generally easier to use. The E-M5 Mark III has a fully articulating screen, while A6400 has a tilting display; both can flip the screen to face their subject.
u Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 Camera Specs
Let’s see what these cameras can offer, starting from the camera specs. As you may already know, the E-M5 Mark III is a micro four-thirds camera with 20MP resolution. This camera has in-body image stabilization and can record 4K 30fps or 1080p 120fps. The A6400 is among Sony’s APS-C collection with 24MP resolution. The camera doesn’t have image stabilization, so it relies on the lens to provide this feature; it uses Sony E lenses. This camera can also record up to 4K 30fps and 1080p 120fps.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 Image Quality
The image quality from both cameras is very similar, and they are fantastic. Most people will love the pictures from either camera because they are equally sharp, detailed, and produce pleasing colors. The color processing is slightly different, with Sony usually being the more saturated, meaning the color is more pop out. Sony makes the Olympus that may already look a bit warm, somehow colder compared to how it presents the red and yellow tone. We don’t see meaningful differences between these cameras.
With a larger sensor, you can push the A6400 ISO to 102400 versus 25600, but shooting at high ISO is rarely a good decision. Sony takes advantage of the APS-C, so it has 2/3 stop better noise performance, but the difference is too small to see as an advantage. In addition, if you often zoom into a subject, the higher pixel density in E-M5 Mark III is often more beneficial. Additionally, a smaller sensor can use a lens with a larger maximum aperture to get similar benefits to APS-C.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 Video
We also want to talk about the video recording ability of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400. Both cameras can record 4K 30fps and 1080p 120fps for a fast-moving object. But, we recommend the E-M5 Mark III for hybrid users because this camera has in-body image stabilization, making it more useful for vlogging and handheld use. Both cameras can record flat profiles so you can color grade them to your liking. Another issue that pushed us away from A6400 is the rolling shutter which can be annoying.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Vs Sony A6400
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and Sony A6400 are solid cameras and deliver fantastic image quality for the price and size. The main difference is sensor size, but it doesn’t affect the actual image quality and performance, as both are crisp and detailed. The other difference is in video recording because E-M5 Mark III, with its smaller sensor and image stabilization, is better for handheld applications and video recording.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because we may have different preferences. But, we suggest the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III for its versatility. This camera is compact, easy to use, has many lens options, produces excellent image quality, and is ideal for hybrid applications.
