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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZS30, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 7 years after the ZS30 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-M1 III grades versus the ZS30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 III ZS30 
LaunchedFebruary 2020January 2013More modern by 87 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS30 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS30

 E-M1 III ZS30 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III features exterior 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) and the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III and the ZS30.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and ZS30 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and ZS30.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will render more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
33
good resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
79
weather proof
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
good megapixels (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
44
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
35
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2020-02-11 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 23
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1200s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
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 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 format 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 media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail cost $1,800 $250