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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 II was released 7 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 II matches up against the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1 II ZS3 
RevealedSeptember 2016May 2009Fresher by 90 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZS3 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1 II ZS3 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the ZS3.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and ZS3 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and ZS3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
75
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment sealing
lighter than average (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
max fps high (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (350 CIPA)
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than average (574 grams)
environment sealing
has focus via touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
79
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
lighter than average (574g)
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-09-19 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
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 reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MOV, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 229g (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Price at release $1,700 $200