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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Released October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was released 10 months later than the SZ3 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1 grades versus the SZ3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic SZ3

		

		

			
 E-M1 SZ3 
LaunchedOctober 2013January 2013Fresher by 10 months
Manually focus  Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 SZ3 E-M1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ3

		

		

			
 E-M1 SZ3 
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 and the SZ3.
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and SZ3 is 71 and 96 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Typically, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and SZ3.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 includes the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The newer E-M1 will have an edge in sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
71
 has manual focus
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/320s)
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect focus
 exports RAW files
30
 good MP (16 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 no manual control
 can't use external flash
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
77
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW files
 comes with focus by touch
 weather proof
 lighter than average (497g)
 great ISO range (25,600)
63
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (126g)
 no articulating screen
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
69
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 weather proof
 comes with phase detect auto focus
 bad battery power (350 per charge)
40
 image stabilization (Optical)
 good MP (16 megapixels)
 has tracking focus
 max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
 Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
65
 lighter than average (497 grams)
 weather proof
 comes with focus by touch
 resolution is good (16MP)
 bad battery power (350 shots)
 display isn't selfie friendly
71
 lighter than competition in class (126g)
 good MP (16MP)
 has built in flash
 fairly wide (25mm)
 long zoom (250mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse mode
 doesn't contain selfie friendly display
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography information
72
 has manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 great ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 weather proof
 bad battery power (350 shots)
38
 fairly wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 good MP (16 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
 tiny screen (2.7 inches)
 no manual control
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
 doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
36
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does have microphone support
 lighter than average (497g)
 display isn't selfie friendly
31
 fairly wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (126g)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
 doesn't contain selfie friendly display
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
 doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-10-28 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range no built-in flash 4.10 m
Flash options Flash Auto, 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    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 497g (1.10 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $799 $150