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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 front
Portability
87
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Announced October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 322g - 112 x 67 x 41mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ90
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS60
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS80
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS70, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the ZS70 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZS70 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was announced 4 years earlier than the ZS70 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS70 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-M1 scores vs the ZS70 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic ZS70

 E-M1 ZS70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS70 over the Olympus E-M1

 ZS70 E-M1 
ReleasedApril 2017October 2013Fresher by 42 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS70

 E-M1 ZS70 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS70 has proportions of 112mm x 67mm x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 322 grams (0.71 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZS70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 compared to the ZS70.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and ZS70 is 71 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and ZS70.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS70 will produce extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older E-M1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS70 Portrait photography highlights
71
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
54
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Street photography camera
78
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
lighter than competition (497 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS70 Sports photography info
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
61
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS70
65
lighter than competition (497 grams)
environment sealing
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
79
better than average battery (380 per charge)
features focus by touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS70
73
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery life (350 per charge)
62
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS70 Vlogging features
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
lighter than competition (497 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
really wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZS70
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ90
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-10-28 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 81 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
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 white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 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, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 pounds) 322g (0.71 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 112 x 67 x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 photos 380 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $450