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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was announced 4 years after the LZ20 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-M1 II scores vs the LZ20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-M1 II LZ20 
IntroducedSeptember 2016July 2012Newer by 51 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 LZ20 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LZ20

 E-M1 II LZ20 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II provides outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Panasonic LZ20 has proportions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 II vs the LZ20.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and LZ20 is 68 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The picture here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and LZ20.

Plainly, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II with its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will give greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
76
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
37
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Panasonic LZ20
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than average (574g)
great ISO range (25,600)
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average in class (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography details
75
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
low battery (350 per charge)
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ20
72
lighter than average (574g)
environment proof
includes focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery (350 CIPA)
58
better than average battery (380 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ20
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery (350 shots)
45
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery (380 shots)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging details
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic support
lighter than average (574g)
25
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-09-19 2012-07-18
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance - 2cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.80 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 499 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 380 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two One
Pricing at launch $1,700 $250