UPDATE 11 OCT: Olympus has informed us that the information leaked by Amazon is not accurate. "The information on Amazon is inaccurate," said Georgina Pavelin, Marketing Manager for Olympus UK, adding that the manufacturer will be conducting an investigation into the nature of the erroneous listing. We will update this story as and when information is available.
UPDATE 09 OCT: Amazon UK has leaked further information and images of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, revealing its £1,355.60 ($1,655) price tag and a release date of 18 November.
The listing (sure to be pulled imminently) states that the camera features a new OLED electronic viewfinder, "re-engineered 5-axis image stabilization", along with "many of the E-M1 Mark II’s premium features".
ORIGINAL STORY: The latest specifications have leaked for one of the most long-awaited new cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – and it earlier claims that it possesses "E-M1X features for a fraction of the price" seem to hold true.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III will feature handheld Hi Res Shot – a 50MP shooting mode that we were told was only possible on the professional Olympus E-M1X thanks to its dual, last-generation, TruePic VIII processors.
According to 43 Rumors, the E-M5 III will use the same TruePic VIII rather than a new processor as was previously reported. The camera will also feature improved in-body image stabilization, now going up to 5.5 stops, and will come in over 100g lighter than its predecessor at just 366g.
Close inspection of the first leaked image of the camera, posted by 43 Rumors last month, reveals layout redesigns that are reminiscent of the company's two flagship E-M1 models. All of this lends credence to reports that the E-M5 Mark III will include features previously exclusive to the flagships, such as the 20.4MP phase detect AF sensor.
• Read more: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: what we expect
The rumor site further wrote that the camera would be announced this month – which makes sense, as October marks the actual anniversary of Olympus' founding in 1919 (and aligns with reports last year that the E-M5 Mark III would be the company's "100th anniversary camera").
Looking at the camera in the leaked image, we can see a few telltale signs of change. The most notable is the addition of the control module to the top-right of the body, which has been transplanted directly from the E-M1 design.
This module houses the power switch, as well as direct AF/metering, flash/sequential shooting/self-timer and BKT buttons, and sits where the mode dial used to be located on the previous E-M5 models.
The mode dial, it seems, now sits to the front of the body at the top-left, positioned much closer to the EVF/pentaprism. The forward and rear exposure dials remain situated on top of the camera, unlike the E-M1X which recessed the rear dial into the back of the body.
It also appears that the E-M5 Mark III has a slightly more pronounced grip, though this could simply be an illusion created by the darker shadow in the image.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is one of the cameras we're most excited about. All signs point towards the camera being revealed to coincide with Olympus' centenary month – and we can't think of a better birthday present.
Read more:
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: what we expect
The best Olympus cameras in 2019
The best Micro Four Thirds lenses for your Olympus or Panasonic camera
