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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 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
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS8, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ZS8 (14MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 8 years after the ZS8 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-M1 III grades against the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS8

 E-M1 III ZS8 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020July 2011More modern by 105 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ZS8 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS8

 E-M1 III ZS8 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III has external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 III against the ZS8.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and ZS8 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and ZS8.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will offer more detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
77
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
30
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features touch focus
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography factors
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
79
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography factors
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
44
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
30
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2020-02-11 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX Venus Engine FHD
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 20MP 14MP
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 pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 11
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
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.00 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 210 grams (0.46 lb)
Physical 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 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 pictures 340 pictures
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
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two 1
Retail price $1,800 $275