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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic LX5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and LX5 (1/1.63") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was announced 8 years later than the LX5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-M1 III scores vs the LX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic LX5

 E-M1 III LX5 
RevealedFebruary 2020December 2011Fresher by 100 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 LX5 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic LX5

 E-M1 III LX5 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III has external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX5 has proportions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic LX5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III and the LX5.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and LX5 is 67 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and LX5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will offer greater detail with its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography information
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
41
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Panasonic LX5
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (271 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography advice
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography advice
79
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly display
59
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (271 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic LX5
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
52
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging information
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic support
29
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition (271 grams)
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2020-02-11 2011-12-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 23
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-3.3
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.20 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 Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
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 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 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lbs) 271 grams (0.60 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 41
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 132
Other
Battery life 420 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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 (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 1
Launch cost $1,800 $294