Olympus finally unveils OM-D E-M5 Mark III camera

Angled view of the new OM-D E-M5 Mark III camera (silver version) with the M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II lens. (Source: Olympus.)

Featuring a compact and lightweight body that is dust- and splash-proof the E-M5 Mark III is also equipped with the same 20.4-megapixel Live MOS sensor as the OM-D E-M 1 Mark II, plus the latest high-speed TruePic VIII image processor. Also inherited from the E-M1 II is the 121-point all cross-type On-chip Phase Detection AF system, with an improved algorithm that prevents focus from unexpected jumping to the background in scenes with near and far subjects. Up to 10 fps high-speed sequential shooting in AF/AE tracking is possible, thanks to  analysis from the subject tracking algorithm that utilises AF information from both Live View images and recorded images to enable quick tracking of unpredictable subject movement and changes in subject speed.

This illustration shows the positions of the weatherproof seals in the new E-M5 Mark III camera, M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II lens and optional FL-700WR flash. (Source: Olympus.)

Like previous models, the new camera will be offered in silver and black. The entire camera body is weather sealed to make it dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof. The delta shape of the viewfinder carries over from the E-M1 II with a 2.36 million-dot, high-contrast OLED panel and optical system with a long eyepoint to make framing shots easier and more accurate.

Front, back and top views of the E-M5 Mark III camera body. (Source: Olympus.)

The new camera is also equipped with an SSWF (Super Sonic Wave Filter) that vibrates the image sensor filter 30,000 times per second to dramatically reduce dust collection. A new compact image stabilisation unit and in-body 5-axis Image Stabilisation (IS) provides up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, based on data from the high-sensitivity gyro sensor and image analysis by the TruePic VIII processor to deliver sharp, high-quality photos and stable videos, even in poorly-lit situations. By synchronising the in-lens IS of supported lenses with in-body 5-axis IS, the E-M5 Mark III delivers up to approximately 6.5 steps of shutter speed compensation. This feature, coupled with the compact system size means users can shoot for long periods of time in locations where tripods can’t be used.

This diagram shows how the 5-axis Image Stabilisation system operates. (Source: Olympus.)

Special shooting modes, developed by Olympus, are included in the new camera, among them Live Composite, which composites multiple shots recorded at the same shutter speed, selecting only the sections that are brighter. Users can check the progress of exposures in Live View, making this mode ideal for capturing light trails. The Pro Capture mode makes it possible to record at a full pixel count events that are difficult to time, such as a bird taking flight. When the shutter button is pressed fully, 14 frames are retroactively recorded. Up to 30 fps high-speed shooting is available with the Pro Capture H setting and RAW recording is also supported. The camera is also equipped with Focus Bracketing, which can record up to 999 frames in a single exposure while shifting the focal position slightly between each shot. The amount of focal shift can be selected from 10 levels, and recorded images can be combined into a single image using Olympus Workspace V1.1 image editing software. Focus Stacking, which automatically composites images by combining eight frames with different focal positions into a single image with increased depth of field.

The Tripod High Res Shot mode shifts the image sensor in 0.5-pixel increments while capturing eight sequential shots. These are merged into a single 50-megapixel high-resolution image. This feature is ideal for landscape shots, product photography in a studio and any other situations that require high-definition images. Selecting the SCN mode enables users to choose one of six themes and select the one most like the scene they want to capture to activate optimal settings. The E-M5 III is also equipped with 16 Art Filter options. The new camera can also record 4K 30p high-definition video and includes an anti-flicker setting that detects the flicker frequency of light sources and controls the shutter timing to suppress exposure and colour variations between frames.

Built-in Bluetooth can be used to automatically connect the camera to a smartphone by starting up the Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) smartphone app for transferring recorded images to a smartphone via Wi-Fi. By using the Share Order function, the selected images on the camera can be automatically transferred across. The battery inside the camera can be charged via USB, when on the move or not using the camera. The new camera is compatible with the ECG-5 grip, which includes a shutter release button and control dial and provides an improved hold on the camera. Two dedicated flashguns, the GN58 FL-900R and GN 42 FL-700WR and also available and both can be used to wirelessly fire the bundled FL-LM3 flash. A new STF-8 macro flash has been released with the camera. It has a guide number of 8.5 and two heads to produce images with a greater sense of three-dimensional space and supports the Focus Stacking function. Lenses compatible with the bundled ring adapter are M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro, M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro, and M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO.

The new STF-8 macro flash. (Source: Olympus.)

Other  optional accessories include the EP-16 large eyecup, the RM-CB2 remote shutter release cable (φ2.5 mm), which is equipped with a convenient bulb lock for long exposures, and the . ME31 directional gun microphone.

The OM-D E-M5 Mark III will be available from late November 2019 for an RRP of AU$1,999 for the body alone or AU$2499 for the body plus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II lens. Click here for more information.

SPECS
Image sensor: 17.4 x 13.0 mm 4/3 Live MOS sensor with 21.8 million photosites (20.4 megapixels effective)
Image processor:  TruePic VIII
A/D processing: 12-bit
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.31), ORF.RAW, RAW+JPEG; Movies: MOV (MPEG-4AVC / H.264) with PCM/16-bit stereo audio
Image Sizes: Stills – 5184 x 3888 to 1024 x 768 pixels; Movies: C4K (4096 x 2160 pixels, 24p, IPB), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1080p (50p, 60p, 30p, 25p, 24p, ALL-I &IPB compression available), Flat Picture Mode (LUT file available for download from website)
Aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1, 3:4
Image Stabilisation: Built-in 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilisation for movie and still photos; 5.5 stops of shake correction; 4 modes –  S-IS Auto, S-IS1, S-IS2, S-IS3, off
Dust removal: Supersonic Wave Filter
Shutter (speed range): Mechanical focal plane shutter (60-1/8000 second plus B and T), electronic shutter (60-1/32000 second); flash synch at 1/250 sec.
Interval Timer: Yes,  Max 999 frames, 1 sec. – 24 hours intervals
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV in 1/3, ½ or 1EV steps (+/-EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: Yes
Other bracketing options: Focus (10 levels, up to 999 shots), ISO, WB, Flash. Art Filter (3 frames for each)
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus Custom (wait time: 1-30sec., shot interval: 0.5 / 1 / 2 / 3sec.,
Focus system: Dual Fast AF with 121 cross-type phase detection points and 121 imager contrast points, 1-10 shots
AF point selection: All targets, group target (5-area, 9-area or 25-area), single target (normal/small), custom target (x4)
Focus modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / AF tracking (C-AF + TR) / Preset MF; C-AF lock (5 steps), AF scanner (3 types); AF targeting pad; AF limiter; 3x , 5x , 7x , 10x , 14x Magnified frame AF; face/eye detection AF with eye priority; Manual focus assist (magnification and peaking)
Exposure metering:  Digital ESP metering (324 zones), centre-weighted average and spot metering patterns plus spot metering with highlight control, spot metering with shadow control
Shooting modes: Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure, Bulb (Live Bulb, Live Time and Live Composite are available), Custom, Movie, Art Filters (16 options) , Scene (6 themes)
Scene presets: Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape + Portrait, Night + Portrait, Children, Nightscape, Sport, Hand-held Starlight, Fireworks, Light trails, Sports, Panning, Landscape, Sunset, Beach & Snow, Backlight HDR, Candlelight, Silent, Macro, Nature Macro, Documents, Multi Focus Shot
Other shooting modes: Live Composite, Pro Capture (14 frames retroactively recorded, up to 30 fps), Tripod High Res Shot (50-megapixel image), anti-flicker shooting, HDR (Auto Composite) 2 modes, multiple exposures – 2 frames with auto gain adjustment, exposure on recorded picture (RAW)
In-camera effects: Focus Stacking, raw file processing
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto (ISO ), ISO  200 to 25600 with extension to ISO 64 and ISO 100  available; adjustable in 1/3 or 1 EV steps
White balance: Auto,  Daylight, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater, Colour Temperature, Custom
Flash: FL-LM3 external flash supplied
Flash modes: TTL Auto, red-eye, backlight, slow sync first or second curtain, manual, wireless flash control
Flash exposure adjustment: +/-3EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max.10 shots/sec. with AF/AE tracking
Buffer capacity: JPEG – to card capacity; RAW – 150 frames
Storage Media: Single slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (UHS-I, II compatible)
Viewfinder: 2,360,000-dot OLED EVF with 100% frame coverage, 23mm eyepoint, 0.86x magnification, -4 to +2 dpt adjustment
LCD monitor: Vari-angle touchscreen TFT LCD with 1,040,000 dots
Interface terminals: USB 2.0 Micro-B, Micro HDMI (type D), 2.5 mm mini jack for remote controller,  3.5 mm stereo mini jack for microphone
Wi-Fi function: Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) plus low-energy Bluetooth
Power supply: BLS-50 rechargeable Li-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 310 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 125.3 x 85.2 x 49.7 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 414grams with battery and card

RRP: AU$1999 body only; AU$2499 with M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II lens
Distributor: Olympus Imaging Australia; 1300 659 678, www.olympus.com.au