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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic FS12, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and FS12 (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was announced 10 years after the FS12 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 III scores against the FS12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic FS12

 E-M1 III FS12 
LaunchedFebruary 2020April 2009Newer by 132 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 FS12 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic FS12

 E-M1 III FS12 

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III offers external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic FS12 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 III versus the FS12.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and FS12 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and FS12.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will give greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
20
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography details
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography features
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography features
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging information
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging information
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2020-02-11 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 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 Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 pounds) 129g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Retail cost $1,800 $228