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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") have different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was released 9 years later than the ZS5 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-M1 III grades vs the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-M1 III ZS5 
ReleasedFebruary 2020June 2010Fresher by 118 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS5 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS5

 E-M1 III ZS5 

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III has outer dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 III and the ZS5.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and ZS5 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 III and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-M1 III will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
27
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography info
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
79
environment sealing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (214g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
81
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2020-02-11 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1300s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash settings 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
Fastest 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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 580g (1.28 lb) 214g (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Launch cost $1,800 $300