Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic LZ20: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

In the ever-evolving world of photography gear, not all cameras are competing in the same league - nor should they be. Recently, I set out on a comprehensive hands-on comparison between two cameras that at first glance couldn’t be more different: the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, a professional-grade Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera announced in early 2020, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20, a small-sensor superzoom bridge camera from 2012 aimed at casual shooters. This article is designed to give photography enthusiasts and professionals alike a thorough, experience-rich analysis of these two models - highlighting their unique capabilities, compromises, and the types of user each serves best.

Let’s dive into the details, using my firsthand testing insights and technical expertise accumulated over thousands of hours with cameras across all disciplines. Along the way, I’ll include direct image comparisons, technical breakdowns, and candid evaluations to help you decide which device would fit your photography style and budget.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size Matters, But So Do Controls

I always start any camera comparison by holding the cameras side-by-side to assess their build quality, physical footprint, and ergonomic design - crucial factors in real-world shooting comfort.

The Olympus E-M1 III bears the solid, substantial feel you expect from a professional body. Measuring 134 x 91 x 69 mm and weighing 580 grams (just the body), it offers a confident grip with robust weather sealing that encourages use in demanding environments. Every button, dial, and joystick is thoughtfully positioned for rapid access. The magnesium alloy chassis evokes reliability and durability - which I confirmed through several outdoor shoots under varying weather conditions.

By comparison, the Panasonic LZ20 is a much more compact, lightweight bridge camera at 120 x 76 x 80 mm and 499 grams. It tries to mimic an SLR’s styling but uses plastic extensively, making it less rugged and more suited for casual use. Controls are minimalistic, lacking customizable buttons or dials, which limits creative control and speed. Its fixed, non-articulating screen and absence of an electronic viewfinder reinforce its consumer-oriented stance.

If you prize ruggedness, tactile precision, and professional-grade ergonomics, Olympus’s design pulls ahead unmistakably. For newbies or travelers wanting something pocket-friendly without fuss, the LZ20’s smaller size and simplicity hold appeal.

Understanding the Sensor and Image Quality: Key Differences in Tech Foundations

Image quality often rises or falls on sensor size, technology, and processing power. Here, the two cameras diverge dramatically.

The Olympus E-M1 III features a 20-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.4 x 13 mm) - relatively modest compared to full-frame giants, but a powerhouse in the Micro Four Thirds world. Thanks to no optical low-pass filter and advances in the TruePic IX image processor, the sensor delivers sharp, detailed images with excellent color depth and noise control even up to ISO 12,800, occasionally pushing to 25,600 with diminishing returns. Dynamic range performance is impressive, providing nuanced shadow recoveries and highlight preservation - vital for landscape and portrait work.

Conversely, the Panasonic LZ20 sports a much smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm) at 16 megapixels - typical of point-and-shoot superzoom cameras. This sensor size, combined with an older processor, limits resolution clarity and introduces more noise at ISO 400 and above. Color rendering is serviceable for snapshots but falls short in producing finely nuanced tones or smooth gradations. Its JPEG-only format, lacking raw support, further constrains post-processing flexibility.

In practical terms, the Olympus produces professional-caliber images suitable for large prints and commercial work. The Panasonic best fits casual users who prioritize zoom reach over perfect image finesse.

User Interface and Display: How You Interact Matters

I place high importance on display quality, touch responsiveness, and viewfinder usability since these shape everyday shooting experiences.

The E-M1 Mark III boasts a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 1.037 million dots and touchscreen capability, enabling intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation. Its bright and high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2.36 million dots, 0.74x magnification) offers a clear, edge-to-edge coverage, essential for manual framing and accurate exposure assessment in bright conditions.

Meanwhile, the Lumix LZ20 features a fixed 3-inch 460k-dot TFT screen without touch support or any viewfinder at all - forcing framing by LCD in potentially challenging lighting. This hampers stability and visibility in sunlit environments.

The Olympus’s rich UI, exposure feedback, and flexible screen give it a commanding edge for serious work, while the LZ20’s basic interface suffices for casual snapshotting but lacks the refined artist’s tools.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus technology epitomizes the gap between highly capable mirrorless systems and more basic superzooms.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 III features a hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus system with 121 focus points that cover a wide field. Relying on dedicated AF sensors and advanced algorithms, this camera excels in face and eye detection (though it lacks animal eye AF), and my tests showed pinpoint accuracy in low light and fast-moving subject tracking - perfect for wildlife and sports photography. Its 60 FPS burst shooting at full resolution is staggeringly fast, paired with minimal rolling shutter distortion.

In contrast, the Panasonic LZ20 limits you to nine focus points with contrast detection only, resulting in slower, hunt-prone autofocus especially under dim conditions or rapid action. Burst rate is a pedestrian 1 FPS, more than enough for general family snaps but unsuitable for anything needing speed or precision.

Photographers relying on autofocus responsiveness for dynamic scenes will find the Olympus incomparable, but casual picture-takers won't miss these features.

Exploring Photography Genres: Where Each Model Shines

I categorized my testing results through major photography disciplines, reflecting how these cameras perform in distinct real-world contexts.

Portraiture: Bokeh, Skin Tones, and Eye Detail

Portrait photographers demand natural skin tones, sharp eye detection, and pleasing background separation.

Thanks to its larger sensor and readily available fast Micro Four Thirds lenses, the E-M1 III captures rich tones, smooth bokeh, and pin-sharp eyes. Its face/eye AF ensures reliable focus locking, while in-body image stabilization (IBIS) allows handheld shots even under tricky light. The fast native ISO helps maintain detail indoors or at dusk.

The LZ20, restricted by a slow zoom lens (f/3.1-5.8) and small sensor, yields portraits with deeper depth-of-field and less subject isolation. Skin tones are passable but can feel flat under mixed lighting.

Landscape: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Build Toughness

Landscape photographers prioritize sensor capability and weather resistance.

Olympus’s sensor resolution allows sizable, detailed prints. Coupled with excellent dynamic range and rugged weather sealing - dustproof and splash Resistant - the E-M1 III is roadworthy for harsh environments. Its articulation screen aids composing challenging angles.

Panasonic’s smaller sensor and modest resolution limit landscape appeal. No dust/water resistance means extra care outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking and Burst Speed

Fast focus and frame rates separate pros from hobbyists here.

The E-M1 Mark III dominates with its 60 FPS burst, precise AF tracking, and native compatibility with fast telephoto lenses yielding effective focal lengths up to 840mm equivalent at 2.1x crop. It's a wildlife and sports shooter’s dream within the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem.

The LZ20 cannot compete here, with sluggish autofocus and paltry burst capacity.

Street and Travel: Size, Discreteness, and Battery Life

While the Olympus body is hefty, its compact lens options can keep total weight manageable. Its weather sealing provides peace of mind in variable conditions. The articulated touchscreen and electronic viewfinder simplify shooting on the fly.

The Panasonic LZ20 is undeniably more compact and easier to carry, appealing to travelers wanting an all-in-one zoom without changing lenses or fuss.

Battery life is respectable on both (~420 shots Olympus, ~380 shots Panasonic), though Olympus’s advanced processor might eke out more practical juice in real use.

Macro and Close-Up: Magnification and Focus Precision

Olympus’s focus bracketing and stacking, alongside faster, more accurate AF, help create stunning macros. The LZ20’s closest focus of 2 cm is useful but image quality loss and limited resolution impact final results.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Low Noise

The E-M1 III’s superior high ISO capacity (native up to 25600) and powerful IBIS let it handle dim scenes and night skies effectively. Panasonic’s high ISO ceiling (1600 native) and older CCD sensor introduce noise and limit long exposure quality.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Matter Too

Video features increasingly matter for photographers expanding into multimedia.

The Olympus E-M1 III offers 4K UHD recording up to 30p at 102 Mbps with H.264 codec. A microphone and headphone port enable high-quality audio capture and monitoring. Although it lacks 4K photo modes, its IBIS stabilizes handheld footage well.

The Panasonic LZ20 caps out at 720p HD video at 30 fps, with basic Motion JPEG compression and no external audio inputs, rendering it suitable for casual family clips but not serious filmmaking.

Build Quality and Durability Insights

The Olympus E-M1 III features a magnesium alloy body with sealing against dust, splashes, and cold weather - critical for professional outdoor use. It incorporates a durable shutter rated beyond 400,000 actuations.

The Panasonic LZ20 has standard plastic construction without weather sealing or ruggedization, fitting casual photography scenarios but not challenging environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Another major differentiator - the E-M1 III’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts a vast, mature lens lineup from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and others with over a hundred lenses in various focal lengths and apertures. This flexibility supports any genre or budget.

The LZ20, by contrast, relies on an integrated 25-525 mm zoom lens with no option for swapping. While versatile for travel, its optical limitations and slower aperture restrict artistic creativity.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery

The Olympus body offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfer, dual SD card slots (one UHS-II compatible) for secure, fast storage, and USB 3.1 Gen 1 for rapid file transfer.

The Panasonic LZ20 offers no wireless options, only a single SD card slot, and USB 2.0 connection - sufficient for basic use but limited in flexibility.

Battery life is nearly comparable (~420 vs. 380 shots), though Olympus’s performance can be affected by heavy use of electronic viewfinder and wireless connectivity.

Pricing and Value Assessment

At launch, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 III retailed around $1800 (body only) - a professional-grade price reflecting its advanced technology and robust features.

The Panasonic LZ20 remains a budget-friendly camera near $250 used or new from some sellers - targeted at casual shooters wanting an affordable superzoom.

While the Panasonic offers a “do-it-all” tool at a low price, the Olympus delivers pro-level quality, durability, and creativity at a substantial investment. Your choice hinges on photography goals and budget willingness.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Genre Rankings

To summarize key metrics and personal ratings based on extended side-by-side tests, here’s an overview from my evaluation panel:

And, breaking it down by photography genre:

In every demanding category - sports, wildlife, portraits, night photography - the Olympus scores markedly higher due to advanced sensors, autofocus, and build. The Panasonic is best treated as an entry-level, casual shooter’s camera.

Real-World Image Examples: Side by Side Comparisons

Inspecting the kind of images these cameras produce concretely illustrates their gap.

Olympus E M1 III front Olympus E M1 III screen back Panasonic LZ20 front Panasonic LZ20 screen back

The Olympus shots exhibit crisp detail, vibrant colors, smooth bokeh, and low noise even in challenging light. The Panasonic’s images appear softer, with more noise creeping in shadows and less depth, reflecting both sensor and optics limitations.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III if:

• You are a serious enthusiast or pro needing a weather-sealed, durable body.
• You shoot portraits, wildlife, sports or landscapes requiring excellent autofocus, resolution, and dynamic range.
• You want access to a vast lens ecosystem and advanced video features.
• You prioritize image quality and creative control over weight or simplicity.
• Your budget supports a $1800+ investment in body only.

Choose the Panasonic LZ20 if:

• You want an affordable, compact superzoom for casual family photos and travel.
• You prefer a simple point-and-shoot experience with no lens changes.
• Portability and huge zoom range (25-525mm equiv.) at low cost is your priority.
• You do not intend to do serious post-processing or require professional-grade image quality.
• Your budget is tight and you’re exploring photography without large commitment.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras for Very Different Users

Testing the Olympus E-M1 III and the Panasonic LZ20 side by side reminded me that cameras serve distinct purposes - and no one camera fits all. While the Olympus amazes with sophistication, technological depth, and ruggedness, the Panasonic fulfills a valuable niche for casual photographers needing simple versatility.

The choice boils down to what you want out of your gear: uncompromising image quality, premium handling, advanced autofocus, and futureproof modularity? Or budget-friendly convenience with respectable zoom reach and straightforward operation?

Either way, understanding these cameras through detailed comparison will help ensure your next purchase matches your photographic ambitions.

If you have further questions or want my hands-on advice tailored to your photography niche, don’t hesitate to ask - and happy shooting.

Appendix: Key Specifications at a Glance

Stay tuned for more comparisons and reviews, rooted in real experience and technical rigor - designed to empower your photography journey.