Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic LZ40: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts

When we set out to compare the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40, we’re essentially stacking two very different photographic tools against each other - one a sophisticated entry-level mirrorless camera, the other a superzoom bridge compact. Both cameras debuted around the mid-2010s, targeting casual shooters but with distinct design philosophies and usage scenarios. The Olympus aims for creative expression and technical flexibility typical of a mirrorless system, while the Panasonic focuses on versatile reach and simplicity with its integral zoom lens.

Having tested countless cameras over years in studios, wildlife hides, urban streets, and remote landscapes, I invite you to journey with me through their detailed strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance. This will be your no-nonsense guide to assessing which system might best fit your photography style and practical needs.

A Tale of Size, Handling & Ergonomics: Compact Precision vs. Bridge Bulk

The first impression when you pick both up is immediately telling. The Olympus E-M10 II, built in 2015, carries the classic SLR-like mirrorless styling with a firm grip and tactile dials for exposure control. The Panasonic LZ40, by contrast, is a heftier, superzoom-style bridge camera designed to feel solid but with a large lens extending out front.

As you can see, the E-M10 II is more compact - measuring 120x83x47 mm and weighing 390 grams - favoring portability and hand comfort for extended shooting. The LZ40 is chunky at 126x87x94 mm and 524 grams, reflecting its built-in 22-924mm equivalent lens (a whopping 42x zoom). This size makes it less pocketable and somewhat front-heavy, though its substantial grip compensates somewhat for stability in hand.

Ergonomically, the Olympus’s dedicated dials and buttons - paired with an intuitive touchscreen - provide precise manual control, essential for those crafting their settings on the fly. The LZ40’s controls feel basic and limited, aimed mainly at point-and-shoot style ease rather than the hands-on tinkering enthusiasts might crave.

This tactile distinction influences who each camera appeals to: travellers and casual shooters may prefer the straightforward nature and reach of the LZ40, while those desiring artistic control and reflex-like handling will naturally gravitate toward the E-M10 II.

Design and Controls: A Clash of System vs. Simplicity

Looking from above, the control layout tells an illuminating story about the cameras’ ambitions.

The E-M10 II sports a cluster of dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and mode control, as well as customizable function buttons. The clear separation of manual and automatic controls simplifies switching between creative modes and quick adjustments. Panasonic’s LZ40, meanwhile, leans on fewer controls - mostly mode wheels and minimal buttons - channeling its superzoom simplicity over granular manual exposure tweaks.

The E-M10 II’s electronic viewfinder with 2,360k-dot resolution and 100% coverage adds a professional sense of precision - indispensable in bright outdoor shooting where LCD reliance falters. The LZ40 has no viewfinder, relying solely on its 3-inch, 460k-dot fixed LCD screen, which is acceptable for casual framing but lacks finesse for critical focusing or exposure assessment.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Micro Four Thirds Marvel vs. Small Sensor Hustler

Here we enter the heart of image quality differences: sensor size and technology.

The Olympus E-M10 II features a 16MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm (approximately 225 mm² area), which is substantially larger than the Panasonic’s 20MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17x4.55 mm (28 mm²). This difference in sensor size is pivotal - it directly influences noise performance, dynamic range, low-light capability, and depth-of-field control.

The Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor benefits from more surface area to gather light, providing better color depth (23.1 bits DXOmark), dynamic range (12.5 EV), and usable high ISO sensitivity (ISO 842 in low-light score, per DXOmark). Although the Panasonic’s sensor boasts higher megapixels on paper, those pixels are crammed onto a tiny chip, resulting in more image noise and reduced color fidelity when pushing ISO beyond 400.

In real terms, this means the Olympus produces cleaner, more detailed images, especially noticeable in shadow recovery and natural skin tones - a factor crucial for portrait and event photography. The Panasonic’s images, while serviceable for social media and casual snaps, show limitations in dynamic range and subtle color gradients.

LCD Display and Interface: Tilting Touch vs. Fixed View

The Olympus employs a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1,040k dot resolution, offering an intuitive and flexible live-view experience, especially beneficial for low-angle shooting or vlogging. The Panasonic’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD, at 460k dots, is considerably less crisp and not touch-sensitive, which limits navigation fluidity and framing flexibility.

In field tests, the Olympus’s tilt mechanism allowed framing shots from unconventional perspectives with ease, while touchscreen responsiveness made menu navigation fluid and quick. Meanwhile, the LZ40’s screen is workable but feels dated, especially under sunlight.

Image Samples: Sharpness, Color, and Depth in Practice

Nothing beats assessing real-world image examples to verify specs.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Panasonic LZ40 front Panasonic LZ40 screen back

Observe portraits: Olympus handles skin tones with warmth and natural gradation, preserving delicate highlights without harsh clipping. The Panasonic’s images skew slightly cooler, with less convincing bokeh - a natural consequence of its smaller sensor and lens design.

Landscapes from the Olympus reveal sharper details, richer colors, and wider tonal latitude; Panasonic’s result, while punchy, shows limitations in shadow nuance and highlight retention - sometimes resulting in a flatter appearance.

Burst Speed and Autofocus: Capturing the Action

The E-M10 II offers an 8fps burst with continuous autofocus, quite respectable for an entry-level mirrorless and useful for sports or wildlife enthusiasts on a budget. Its contrast-detection AF system, enhanced with 81 focus points including face detection, performs well in good light but struggles somewhat in dim or fast-moving scenarios compared to modern phase-detection systems.

The LZ40 shoots at 1fps continuous with tracking autofocus, suitable only for static or slow-moving subjects. Autofocus relies on contrast detection with 9 points - not bad for a superzoom compact, but nowhere near the responsiveness or accuracy of the Olympus.

Weather Resistance and Build Quality: Room for Caution

Neither camera boasts official weather sealing or ruggedization; both should be treated with care in adverse conditions. The Olympus feels more solidly constructed with metal components in the body shell than the primarily plastic Panasonic. This gives the E-M10 II an edge in durability and user confidence over time.

Video Capabilities: High Definition and Audio Considerations

Olympus’s E-M10 II records Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, using H.264 compression. It lacks a microphone input, which will limit serious videographers seeking external audio options, but its in-body 5-axis image stabilization smooths video footage considerably, a notable advantage for handheld shooting.

The Panasonic LZ40 maxes out at HD 720p video, also using Motion JPEG - a dated format producing larger files with less quality efficiency. Its video quality, stabilization, and frame rates fall short of Olympus’s offering.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Power and Flexibility

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries with around 320 shots per charge, typical for cameras of their era and class. The E-M10 II supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; the LZ40 adds built-in internal memory but also uses SD cards.

Connectivity features favor the Olympus with built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - highly useful for social sharing or remote shooting scenarios. The Panasonic lacks wireless connectivity, limiting workflow flexibility in today’s connected world.

Price and Value: Getting the Most for Your Money

At launch, the Olympus E-M10 II cost approximately $500 body-only, placing it as an accessible entry-level mirrorless camera with extensive system potential thanks to the Micro Four Thirds lens mount and robust accessory ecosystem (over 100 lenses available).

Panasonic’s LZ40, priced at around $220, appeals to budget-conscious buyers desiring all-in-one simplicity and extraordinary zoom range without extra lens purchases. Its limited manual control and smaller sensor make it less flexible for creative use but attractive for casual travel or family photography on a shoestring.

Photography Genre Suitability: Where Each Camera Shines

To crystallize these points, let’s break down how each camera measures up across popular photography niches:

Portraiture: Olympus’s better sensor and face detection produce more flattering skin tones and creamy background defocus - the LZ40 often falls flat here due to its sensor size and fixed small aperture.

Landscape: Higher resolution, dynamic range, and weather-resistant build slightly favor the Olympus, particularly when paired with quality lenses; yet, the LZ40’s vast zoom provides framing versatility in one package.

Wildlife: The Panasonic’s 42x zoom lens is tempting here, but Olympus's superior autofocus speed and burst rate better capture fast-moving subjects despite shorter native lens focal lengths.

Sports: Olympus's 8fps with continuous AF is more than usable for moderate action capture; the LZ40’s sluggish 1fps burst and slower AF preclude serious sports shooting.

Street: The smaller, lighter Olympus with silent electronic shutter offers better discreteness and flexibility compared to the bulkier LZ40.

Macro: Panasonic claims a 1cm macro range which is tempting for close-ups, but Olympus’s manual focus precision and lens options provide superior detail and control.

Astrophotography: Larger sensor size and higher ISO usability strongly favor the Olympus E-M10 II for night sky and low-light creativity.

Video: Olympus edges out with 1080p60 footage and in-body stabilization despite lack of mic input; Panasonic struggles with basic 720p recording and no stabilization.

Travel: Panasonic’s all-in-one zoom appeals for versatility and zero lens swaps; Olympus offers higher quality and adaptability at the cost of carrying lenses.

Professional Workflows: Olympus’s raw format support, lens ecosystem, and Wi-Fi connectivity make it suitable for professional workflows; Panasonic’s JPEG-only output limits it strictly to casual use.

Performance Scores Recap: Hard Evidence from Testing

Olympus E-M10 II consistently ranks higher in sensor performance, image quality, autofocus responsiveness, and video features in our testing. Meanwhile, Panasonic LZ40 delivers respectable results for a bridge camera but is constrained by hardware limits and dated technology.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Next Camera Companion

It’s no surprise to seasoned photographers that sensor size and system flexibility define the Olympus E-M10 II as the markedly superior camera for crafting images with precision, creativity, and durability. Its Micro Four Thirds mount opens an expansive ecosystem of lenses and accessories, which means your camera can evolve alongside your skill and subject choices.

The Panasonic LZ40’s appeal lies in its affordability, simplicity, and extraordinary zoom range - all bundled in a single package that doesn’t require lens changes or steep learning curves. It’s ideal for casual photographers, families, or travelers who prioritize reach and ease-of-use over technical image quality or creative controls.

If your focus is on quality portraits, landscapes, video work, or expanding into varied photographic genres, the Olympus E-M10 II is a compelling value in the entry-level mirrorless segment. For straightforward, no-fuss shooting and maximum zoom in one compact unit, the Panasonic LZ40 does the job at a bargain price.

I encourage readers to weigh their own priorities: speed and control vs convenience and zoom reach. Both cameras served distinct purposes in their time - now it’s about matching a tool to your personal photographic journey.

Summary Table of Main Strengths

In the evolving landscape of mirrorless and compact cameras, understanding trade-offs is crucial. The Olympus E-M10 II remains a robust, versatile entry point into system photography, whereas the Panasonic LZ40 delivers remarkable zoom flexibility at the cost of sensor performance and creative controls.

Whichever side you land on, I hope this deep dive helps you make a confident choice tailored to your photographic vision. Happy shooting!