Clicky

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS50
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic ZS45, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ZS45 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZS45 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-M1 II was launched 21 months later than the ZS45 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-M1 II scores vs the ZS45 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic ZS45

 E-M1 II ZS45 
RevealedSeptember 2016January 2015Fresher by 21 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZS45 E-M1 II 
Screen resolution1040k1037kSharper screen (+3k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS45

 E-M1 II ZS45 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II features outer dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has specifications of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic ZS45 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II versus the ZS45.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and ZS45 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The visual here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and ZS45.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 II will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
75
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
37
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography factors
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS45
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery (350 CIPA)
55
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (350 per charge)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
environment proofing
comes with touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
low battery (350 shots)
71
great battery life (350 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (249 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography info
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery (350 per charge)
47
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery life (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (249 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS45
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-09-19 2015-01-06
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 21
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 350 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Launch price $1,700 $300