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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZS3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 10 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-M1 III scores against the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1 III ZS3 
IntroducedFebruary 2020May 2009More recent by 131 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS3 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1 III ZS3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III and the ZS3.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and ZS3 is 67 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and ZS3.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will produce more detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography details
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
79
environment proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
35
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging advice
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic port
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-02-11 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
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 reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 1
Pricing at release $1,800 $200