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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS200
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS100, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the ZS100 (20MP) is very comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZS100 (1") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was announced 3 years prior to the ZS100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-M1 grades vs the ZS100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic ZS100

 E-M1 ZS100 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Olympus E-M1

 ZS100 E-M1 
RevealedJanuary 2016October 2013More modern by 26 months
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS100

 E-M1 ZS100 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 comes with physical measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS100 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 against the ZS100.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and ZS100 is 71 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and ZS100.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic ZS100 will show more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
64
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Street photography camera
78
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than others in class (497g)
good high ISO (25,600)
78
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
lighter than average (312 grams)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography details
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
67
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS100 Travel photography information
65
lighter than others in class (497g)
weather sealing
includes focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
75
lighter than average (312 grams)
has focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography features
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
68
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging features
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than average (312g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS100
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-10-28 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePIC VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 9.9 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lbs) 312 gr (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 70
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.5
DXO Low light rating 757 559
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 300 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $700