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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS40, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is pretty well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZS40 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was launched 2 months prior to the ZS40 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-M1 grades versus the ZS40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 E-M1 ZS40 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus E-M1

 ZS40 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS40

 E-M1 ZS40 
AnnouncedOctober 2013January 2014Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 comes with outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS40 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 compared to the ZS40.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and ZS40 is 71 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and ZS40.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS40 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
52
manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
78
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (240g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography highlights
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (350 per charge)
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
has tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
65
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
environment proofing
supports touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
terrible battery power (350 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
good MP (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery power (350 shots)
56
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging details
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-10-28 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
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, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 pounds) 240 gr (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 300 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $799 $450