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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was launched 3 years later than the ZS30 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M1 II grades versus the ZS30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 II ZS30 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2013Fresher by 46 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZS30 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 II ZS30 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with external measurements 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 ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II versus the ZS30.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and ZS30 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and ZS30.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
75
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
33
good resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography info
78
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competitors (198g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
offers tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
environment proofing
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery pack (350 per charge)
69
lighter than competitors (198g)
supports focus via touch
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
79
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (574g)
35
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (198g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-09-19 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash settings 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 Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Price at release $1,700 $250