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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 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 ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was launched 7 years after the ZS20 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 III scores against the ZS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS20

 E-M1 III ZS20 
LaunchedFebruary 2020April 2012More modern by 95 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS20 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS20

 E-M1 III ZS20 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III provides exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 III vs the ZS20.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and ZS20 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will give more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
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)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
79
environment proof
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competition (206g)
has focus via touch
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-02-11 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 23
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 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 Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 gr (1.28 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack 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/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,800 $349