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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  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II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
Photography Glossary
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
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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