Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with options as distinct as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80. One is a professional-grade Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, while the other is an affordable superzoom bridge camera. Each targets very different users and photography styles, but which suits your photographic journey better? Drawing on a wealth of hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, we’ll dissect their differences, strengths, and real-world performance - helping you decide which fits your needs and budget best.

Exploring The Build: Ergonomics and Physical Presence

You’ll notice right away that these two cameras serve different roles in your kit owing to their size and design.

• Olympus E-M1 II is a robust, pro-level mirrorless with a classic SLR-style body.
• Panasonic FZ80 offers a compact bridge-camera form with a large integrated superzoom lens.

Let’s look more closely:

The Olympus benefits from a well-balanced, compact-but-substantial build. Its magnesium alloy body with comprehensive weather sealing provides peace of mind for shooting in challenging environments. The controls are well-positioned for quick adjustments during professional assignments.

Conversely, the Panasonic packs a massive 60x zoom lens (20-1200mm equivalent) into a slightly larger body, making it bulkier mainly due to the lens barrel. Without weather sealing, it requires extra care outdoors but offers remarkable reach in a relatively portable package.

Verdict

If you want durability and professional handling, Olympus’s design shines. For casual to enthusiast photographers craving ultrazoom versatility in one package, the FZ80’s form factor works well.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuitiveness in Action

A camera’s handling and control design can significantly affect your shooting experience. Let’s inspect the top view and interface design of these two models.

The Olympus E-M1 II offers a thoughtful layout with multiple dedicated dials and customizable buttons to control shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more. The top LCD panel gives critical exposure information at a glance. If you’re juggling complex shooting situations - for landscapes, sports, or wildlife - these dedicated controls are a boon.

The Panasonic FZ80’s bridge style and integrated zoom lead to fewer external controls. While you get easy access to zoom and exposure adjustments, it feels more consumer-friendly and less customizable. It relies more on menu navigation and touchscreen inputs, which can slow down fast-paced shooting.

Takeaway

For photographers who want fast, tactile access to settings and fine control, Olympus’s professional layout is ideal. If simplicity and ease of use matter more than speed, Panasonic presents an accessible interface.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Sensor technology heavily dictates image quality, low-light performance, and creative flexibility. Here’s where these two diverge dramatically.

The Olympus’s significantly larger Four Thirds sensor captures more light, yielding cleaner images with greater dynamic range and color depth. We’ve tested the E-M1 II extensively at high ISOs - it excels even at ISO 3200 and beyond, preserving fine detail and low noise.

By contrast, the Panasonic’s 1/2.3" sensor is tiny by comparison. Despite an effective backside-illuminated design that enhances sensitivity, its small size limits high-ISO performance and dynamic range. This sensor is more prone to noise and reduced tonal gradation in challenging light.

The Olympus’s lack of an anti-aliasing filter results in crisper detail but requires careful shooting to avoid moiré patterns. The FZ80 uses an AA filter, reducing some sharpness but minimizing artifacts - a practical choice given its sensor constraints.

After testing both extensively:

• For print-worthy images, especially in low light or with complex tones, Olympus wins handily.
• For casual snapshots to share online or travel shots needing versatility, Panasonic holds value.

Autofocus Systems: Locking Your Subjects Swiftly

Fast and reliable autofocus (AF) stands as a critical feature for many shooting styles. Here’s how their AF systems stack up:

The Olympus uses a sophisticated hybrid AF system combining phase detection and contrast detection, resulting in faster acquisition and superior tracking, especially when shooting fast-moving subjects in wildlife or sports. Its 121 AF points provide broad frame coverage and precision.

The Panasonic’s contrast-detection AF is slower by comparison and more prone to hunting in low light or challenging textures. Its fewer AF points and less advanced tracking mean it performs best with still subjects or slow action.

In face and eye detection, both cameras do well in typical conditions, but Olympus’s system excels in more demanding settings, capturing sharp focus on moving eyes or partial obstructions.

Real-World Impact:

• Need quick, reliable autofocus for sports or wildlife? The Olympus E-M1 II is a clear winner.
• For casual shooting and zoomed-in telephoto framing at moderate speeds, the FZ80 delivers adequately.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing and Reviewing Your Shots

Both cameras offer electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCD screens, but their quality and flexibility vary.

The Olympus’s higher-resolution, larger magnification EVF provides a bright, detailed view for precise composition. Its fully articulating touchscreen adds versatility for video and creative angles - beneficial for vloggers and macro shooters alike.

The Panasonic’s EVF is smaller and lower resolution, feeling more cramped and less comfortable for extended use. Its fixed LCD can be limiting when composing at high or low angles, although the touchscreen enables easy focusing and menu navigation.

Summary

For critical framing, the Olympus’s EVF and screen combination substantially enhance usability. The Panasonic suffices but is more basic.

Lens Ecosystem and Zoom Capabilities

Here lies the most fundamental difference:

• Olympus E-M1 II is compatible with the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens mount - offering over 100 lenses, including professional primes and high-quality zooms.
• Panasonic FZ80 features a fixed 60x zoom lens with a focal range of 20–1200mm (equivalent).

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Panasonic FZ80 front Panasonic FZ80 screen back

The Olympus’s lens mount opens up a universe of options - from fast prime lenses ideal for portraits and low light to rugged telephotos for wildlife or sports. Its system-level image stabilization synergizes with lens stabilizers, further improving handheld results.

By contrast, the Panasonic’s zoom is impressive for casual use - 60x optical zoom covers landscapes to distant wildlife. Its 1 cm macro ability allows close-ups without switching lenses, convenient for nature and insect shots. However, the smaller sensor and slower apertures limit image quality and bokeh effects.

What this means for you

• If you enjoy crafting images with a variety of lenses or want professional-quality glass, the E-M1 II is a stellar platform.
• If you prefer an all-in-one camera with simplicity and reach, the FZ80’s massive zoom is very appealing.

Performance in Major Photography Genres

Let’s explore how these cameras perform in real-world photographic situations:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-M1 II:
  • Excellent skin tone reproduction due to larger sensor and superior color depth.
  • Beautiful background blur with fast lenses (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.2 primes).
  • Eye-detection AF sharpens focus on important facial details.
• Panasonic FZ80:
  • Limited background blur due to smaller sensor and slower lens.
  • Adequate for casual portraits but less artistic flexibility.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus:
  • Outstanding dynamic range preserves shadows and highlights.
  • 20 MP resolution balances detail and noise.
  • Weather sealing enables shooting in various conditions.
• Panasonic:
  • Wide zoom range covers wide-angle to telephoto landscape shots.
  • Less dynamic range and detail, but good for travel snapshots.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus:
  • Fast autofocus with 121 AF points allows chasing animals and birds.
  • The compact bodies allow extended handheld shooting with effective stabilization.
• Panasonic:
  • Huge zoom range for distant wildlife.
  • Slower AF limits capturing fast action.

Sports Photography

• Olympus:
  • Burst shooting up to 60 fps with continuous AF.
  • Precision tracking in tough lighting.
• Panasonic:
  • 10 fps burst - good for casual sports moments.
  • Lagging autofocus may miss fast plays.

Street Photography

• Olympus:
  • Discreet size and weather sealing suit street shooting.
  • Fast AF and silent shutter options.
• Panasonic:
  • Larger and less stealthy.
  • Effective zoom lets you shoot from a distance.

Macro Photography

• Olympus:
  • Compatible with specialized macro lenses.
  • Focus stacking and bracketing supported.
• Panasonic:
  • 1 cm focus offers very close macro, no lens changes.
  • Post-focus and focus bracketing useful for focus stacking.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus:
  • Larger sensor excels at high ISO.
  • Long exposure settings plus noise reduction.
• Panasonic:
  • Limited high ISO performance.
  • Good travel tripod combo.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus:
  • 4K up to 24p/30p.
  • External mic and headphone jacks.
  • 5-axis in-body stabilization.
• Panasonic:
  • 4K 30p, 1080p 60p.
  • No external audio ports.
  • Optical stabilization only.

Travel Photography

• Olympus:
  • Versatile with many lens options.
  • Compact with weather sealing.
  • Battery lasts around 350 shots.
• Panasonic:
  • One camera, vast zoom.
  • Longer zoom but heavier overall.
  • Battery life ~330 shots.

Professional Workflows

• Olympus:
  • RAW support with high bit depth.
  • USB 3.0 for fast file transfer.
  • Dual card slots for backup.
• Panasonic:
  • RAW supported but limited dynamic range.
  • USB 2.0 transfer.
  • Single card slot.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

The Olympus E-M1 II’s 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization is among the best in the business, delivering up to 5 stops of correction. This feature is invaluable when shooting handheld in low light or with telephoto lenses.

Panasonic FZ80 relies on optical image stabilization integrated into its zoom lens. While effective, it’s generally not as refined as Olympus’s system-level stabilization.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras use rechargeable battery packs:

• Olympus BLH-1 battery lasts around 350 shots per charge.
• Panasonic gives about 330 shots, roughly equivalent.

Storage-wise:

• Olympus offers dual SD card slots, allowing backup or overflow - critical for professional reliability.
• Panasonic supports one SD card slot.

Connectivity:

• Both feature built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control.
• Olympus uses modern USB 3.0; Panasonic uses slower USB 2.0.
• Neither has Bluetooth or NFC.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What Will You Pay?

• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: Around $1700 body only (as of announcement).
• Panasonic Lumix FZ80: Around $400 all-in, with built-in zoom lens.

For those on a strict budget or wanting all-in-one zoom performance, the FZ80 offers surprising utility at an accessible price.

If you seek a serious photographic tool with professional image quality, build, and expandability, the Olympus represents a high but worthwhile investment.

Overall Performance Scores and Summary

Our extensive testing - laboratory and field - leads to these overall ratings:

These scores are based on repeated tests shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and more, utilizing lab targets and real-world scenarios to assess dynamic range, accuracy, and usability.

Final Recommendations: Matching Camera to Photographer

• For Professionals and Serious Enthusiasts:

  • The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is a powerhouse. Its superior sensor, fast hybrid autofocus, robust build, and extensive lens ecosystem make it ideal for demanding applications - portraits, wildlife, sports, macro, and landscape photography.
  • Its advanced video capabilities and professional workflow features also satisfy content creators aiming for quality output.

• For Beginners, Hobbyists, and Travelers Wanting Simplicity:

  • The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is a versatile all-in-one zoom camera ideal for travel, wildlife observation, casual macro, and everyday photography.
  • Its compact design and extensive zoom range are perfect if you want one camera without swapping lenses.
  • While its smaller sensor limits image quality in challenging conditions, it punches above its weight for the price.

Inspiring Your Next Steps

Photography is a journey, and your camera choice should empower your creative vision without compromise.

• Want to build a pro-level kit with lenses matched to every situation? The Olympus E-M1 Mark II sets you up to grow artistically for years.
• Need practical versatility and the fun of reaching far-away subjects without fuss? The Panasonic FZ80 helps you get started with ease and affordability.

Take these insights as a foundation but get hands-on if you can. Feel the ergonomics. Explore the menus. Review the images you shoot. Try different lenses with Olympus or zoom through Panasonic’s reach.

By matching these strengths to your passions, you’ll find a camera that inspires and keeps pace with your photography adventures.

Explore, create, and capture your world with confidence. Your perfect camera is waiting.