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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS8, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ZS8 (14MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was announced 5 years after the ZS8 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 II matches up vs the ZS8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic ZS8

 E-M1 II ZS8 
IntroducedSeptember 2016July 2011Newer by 63 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZS8 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS8

 E-M1 II ZS8 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys physical dimensions 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 ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II against the ZS8.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and ZS8 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and ZS8.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will deliver greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography features
75
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
30
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography details
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proof
lighter than competition (574g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competition (574g)
environment proof
supports touch focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
69
lighter than average (210g)
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
lighter than competition (574g)
30
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-09-19 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
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 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 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 Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 210g (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 photographs 340 photographs
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 recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two One
Cost at release $1,700 $275