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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Announced February 2020
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS15, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 7 years later than the ZS15 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the ZS15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS15

 E-M1 III ZS15 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020June 2012Fresher by 93 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS15 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS15

 E-M1 III ZS15 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with exterior dimensions 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 ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS15 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III vs the ZS15.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and ZS15 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and ZS15.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M1 III will provide more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
77
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography information
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
79
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (260 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
37
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-02-11 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 23
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes 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 Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 gr (1.28 pounds) 208 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Retail cost $1,800 $279