Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic FZ70

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic FZ70, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the FZ70 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and FZ70 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was announced 4 months after the FZ70 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1 grades vs the FZ70 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Panasonic FZ70 Gallery.

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 provides outer dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ70 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic FZ70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 vs the FZ70.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and FZ70 is 71 and 63 respectively.

Usually, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and FZ70.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-M1 contains the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult.