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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic SZ8, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was unveiled 6 years later than the SZ8 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the SZ8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic SZ8

		

		

			
 E-M1 III SZ8 
LaunchedFebruary 2020January 2014More recent by 75 months
Manually focus  Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-M1 III

		

		

			
 SZ8 E-M1 III 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic SZ8

		

		

			
 E-M1 III SZ8 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III provides exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III and the SZ8.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and SZ8 is 67 and 94 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and SZ8.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will provide you with more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III will have an edge in sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
77
 has manual focus
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports face detection autofocus
 supports RAW formats
35
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 features face detect focusing
 manual focus not available
 no manual exposure
 external flash not possible
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 has no RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
78
 fully articulated screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW formats
 includes focus by touch
 environment proofing
 good high ISO (25,600)
63
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors (159 grams)
 fixed screen
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
81
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports tracking autofocus
 environment proofing
 has phase detect autofocus
34
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
 no shutter priority
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 bad battery (200 shots)
 has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
79
 environment proofing
 supports bluetooth
 includes focus by touch
 MP count decent (20 megapixels)
 screen is selfie friendly
67
 lighter than competitors (159g)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 built-in flash
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 long zoom (288mm)
 doesn't have Time Lapse function
 bad battery (200 per charge)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
81
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 nice screen size (3")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (20MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 doesnt have low pass filter
 good high ISO (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 environment proofing
 has dual storage slots
42
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 manual focus not available
 cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 no manual exposure
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 has no RAW files
 bad battery (200 CIPA)
 doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
79
 screen is selfie friendly
 touch screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 supports face detection autofocus
 high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
 has external microphone jack
32
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detect focusing
 lighter than competitors (159 grams)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
 doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2020-02-11 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX Venus Engine
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 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images    
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Number of focus points 121 9
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash range no built-in flash 5.20 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (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 580g (1.28 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 shots 200 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two One
Launch price $1,800 $275