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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was brought out 6 years later than the ZS5 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M1 II matches up vs the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-M1 II ZS5 
ReleasedSeptember 2016June 2010More recent by 77 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZS5 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS5

 E-M1 II ZS5 

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II has got external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the ZS5.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and ZS5 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and ZS5.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 II will show more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
76
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
27
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery (350 shots)
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
environment proofing
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery (350 per charge)
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery (350 shots)
33
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging information
79
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone socket
lighter than others in class (574g)
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-09-19 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Min 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 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1300s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m
Flash options 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
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 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Launch price $1,700 $300