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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZR1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZR1 (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 10 years later than the ZR1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the ZR1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-M1 III ZR1 
LaunchedFebruary 2020July 2009Fresher by 129 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZR1 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZR1

 E-M1 III ZR1 

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III offers outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZR1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 III vs the ZR1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and ZR1 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and ZR1.

As you can see, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will deliver more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
79
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography info
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
32
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging highlights
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
28
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2020-02-11 2009-07-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX Venus Engine V
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.10 m
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 580 grams (1.28 lbs) 158 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Retail pricing $1,800 $280