Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8
67 Imaging
61 Features
96 Overall
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92 Imaging
37 Features
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
(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
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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.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 III Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Panasonic ZS8
| E-M1 III | ZS8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2020 | July 2011 | More modern by 105 months | |
| Focus manually | Dial exact focus | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Clearer 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 size | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Panasonic 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 |