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Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus OM-D E-M10 II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 390g - 120 x 83 x 47mm
  • Released August 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M10
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Your Next Camera Purchase

Choosing the right camera can be daunting, especially when faced with two very different models like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. Both cameras target distinct photography needs and user types. Our detailed, firsthand assessment will unravel their strengths and limitations across the full photography spectrum. Whether you’re a beginner exploring mirrorless systems or a traveler seeking an all-in-one zoom, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

Before diving into specs, how a camera feels in your hands can profoundly impact your shooting experience.

Feature Olympus E-M10 II Panasonic ZS20
Body Type SLR-style mirrorless Compact superzoom
Dimensions (mm) 120 x 83 x 47 105 x 59 x 28
Weight (g) 390 206
Weather Sealing None None
Physical Controls Dials & customizable buttons Minimal, fixed-function buttons
Viewfinder Electronic (2,360k dots) None
Screen 3” tilting touchscreen (1,040k) 3” fixed touchscreen (460k)

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Olympus E-M10 II carries the heft and grip of a traditional mirrorless camera, making it comfortable for extended handheld shoots, especially with longer lenses. Its SLR-style build includes a pop-up EVF that’s crisp and highly detailed, crucial for precision framing. The tilting touchscreen adds flexibility for creative angles.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS20 is ultra-compact, designed for travel ease. Its small footprint and light weight favor portability but come with compromises in ergonomics and control. No viewfinder means you rely solely on the rear LCD, which is less detailed and fixed in place.

If you prioritize a tactile, engaging shooting experience with manual control, the Olympus wins here. For casual users wanting pocketable convenience and immense zoom reach, the ZS20 excels.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Image quality hinges on sensor size, resolution, and processing power. Let's break down the essentials.

Spec Olympus E-M10 II Panasonic ZS20
Sensor Type Four Thirds CMOS 1/2.3" CMOS
Sensor Size (mm) 17.3 x 13 (224.9 mm²) 6.08 x 4.56 (27.7 mm²)
Resolution (MP) 16 14
Native ISO Range 200 - 25600 100 - 6400
Image Processor TruePic VII Not specified
Raw Support Yes No
Anti-aliasing Filter Yes Yes

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

The Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor is substantially larger than the Panasonic’s tiny 1/2.3" chip - almost eight times the surface area. This size difference generally translates to far better image quality, especially in low light. The E-M10 II’s sensor captures more detail and richer tones, aided by the TruePic VII processor that handles noise reduction and color fidelity intelligently.

Raw support on the Olympus unlocks maximum flexibility in post-processing, an essential feature for enthusiasts and professionals. The Panasonic ZS20, lacking raw, is constrained to JPEGs, which might limit advanced edits.

Although the ZS20’s 14MP resolution is respectable for a small sensor, the image quality falls short in dynamic range, color depth, and noise performance, particularly beyond ISO 400-800. Olympus’s 16MP sensor delivers sharper images with better skin tone reproduction, essential for portraits and professional work.

Autofocus and Speed: Staying Sharp When It Counts

Autofocus (AF) systems are critical for capturing fleeting moments. Here’s how these two cameras compare:

Feature Olympus E-M10 II Panasonic ZS20
AF System Contrast-detection, 81 points Contrast-detection, 23 points
Face Detection Yes No
Continuous AF Yes Yes
AF Modes Single, Continuous, Tracking Tracking, Center
Eye AF No No
Burst Shooting (fps) 8.0 10.0

The Olympus uses a fine-grained 81-point contrast AF system complemented by face detection, which noticeably helps in portrait shooting and focusing on moving subjects with confidence. Although lacking phase detection, its AF tracking is responsive in good light.

The Panasonic employs a more basic 23-point system without face detection, which can impact accuracy in complex scenes or portraits. Its higher 10 fps burst speed is an advantage for casual action but may suffer from slower focus acquisition between frames.

In practical use, the Olympus’s autofocus system is more precise and flexible, especially under varied lighting. The face detection aids portrait and street photography, while its manual focus ring and focus peaking improve creative control.

Handling and User Interface: Controls Matter

Your interaction with the camera ultimately affects your shooting enjoyment and efficiency.

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

The Olympus E-M10 II boasts dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, customizable buttons, and a well-laid-out menu system that's intuitive. This design invites experimentation and fast access to manual modes - a big boon for learners and pros alike.

By contrast, the Panasonic ZS20's compact body limits physical controls. It relies heavily on touchscreen menus and fewer buttons, which may slow operation, particularly when changing settings on the fly.

The Olympus’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers eye-level shooting, critical in bright light or for precise composition. The tilting touchscreen enables work from creative angles. The Panasonic offers a fixed LCD, which can be restrictive.

For photographers who value quick, tactile control in dynamic environments such as sports or street photography, the E-M10 II’s ergonomics stand out.

Optical Systems: Lenses and Zoom Performance

The Olympus E-M10 II uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, while the Panasonic ZS20 has a fixed superzoom lens.

Camera Lens Mount / Type Focal Length Max Aperture Zoom Range Multiplier
Olympus E-M10 II Micro Four Thirds (Interchangeable) N/A (varies by lens) Depends on lens 2.0x crop factor
Panasonic ZS20 Fixed Zoom Lens 24-480 mm (equiv.) f/3.3 - f/6.4 20x optical zoom

The Olympus benefits from access to an extensive Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem - over 100 lenses covering wide angle, primes, macro, telephoto, and professional optics. This flexibility allows you to tailor the system precisely to your photography needs and styles.

The Panasonic comes with a generous built-in 20x zoom (24-480mm 35mm equivalent), perfect for travel and wildlife shooters on a budget who want reach without carrying multiple lenses. However, the slower maximum aperture at the telephoto end limits low-light and shallow depth-of-field potential.

If you want versatility and image quality optimized for portraits, landscapes, or professional applications, Olympus’s interchangeable lens system outperforms the fixed lens solution.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

  • Olympus E-M10 II sports a high-resolution tilting LCD touchscreen (1,040k dots) plus an EVF with 2,360k dots resolution, offering dual flexibility. The EVF excels for bright conditions, reducing glare and aiding precise framing.

  • Panasonic ZS20 relies solely on a fixed, lower resolution 460k dot LCD, which is harder to view in sunlight and limits creative shooting angles.

For serious photographers and videographers, having both a quality EVF and versatile LCD tilt is invaluable for composition and usability.

Performance in Key Photography Disciplines

Understanding how each camera performs in specific genres brings further clarity.

Portrait Photography

  • Olympus E-M10 II: The larger sensor renders natural, pleasing skin tones with smooth gradation. The 81-point AF with face detection locks onto eyes quickly, crucial for expressive shots. The lens system supports fast primes for beautiful bokeh.

  • Panasonic ZS20: Smaller sensor struggles with shallow depth-of-field; background separation is limited despite long zoom. No face detection in AF reduces ease of shooting candid portraits.

Landscape Photography

  • Olympus offers 16MP resolution with excellent dynamic range (~12.5 EV) allowing recovery of shadows and highlights. Weather sealing is absent but rugged lenses are available.

  • Panasonic’s small sensor provides less detail and dynamic range, impacting fine textures. No weather sealing or ruggedness limits outdoor use. Still useful for casual landscapes due to wide zoom.

Wildlife and Sports

  • Olympus autofocus tracking is competent; 8 fps burst enables tracking action moderately well, especially paired with telephoto lenses.

  • Panasonic’s 20x zoom and 10 fps shot rate suit distant subjects and fast sequences. Autofocus is less precise, so missed focus can be an issue.

Street Photography

  • Olympus’s size and EVF make it slightly less discreet but superior for creative framing and low light.

  • Panasonic’s compactness and quiet operation favor low-profile street shooting, albeit image quality lags in challenging conditions.

Macro Photography

  • Olympus supports dedicated macro lenses with focus bracketing to enhance detail, unachievable on Panasonic with fixed lens.

Night and Astro Photography

  • Olympus’s higher ISO tolerance (~ISO 800+) and raw capability help produce clean night shots. 5-axis stabilization aids handheld exposure.

  • Panasonic’s limited max ISO and smaller sensor produce noisy images. No stabilization strength for night shoots.

Videography

Feature Olympus E-M10 II Panasonic ZS20
Max Video Resolution 1080p (60fps) 1080p (60fps)
Stabilization Sensor-based 5-axis Optical only
Microphone Jack No No
Formats H.264, MJPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD

Both cameras max out at Full HD 1080p with 60fps, suitable for YouTube and casual vlogging. Olympus’s in-body 5-axis IS yields smoother handheld footage. Panasonic lacks external mic support reducing audio options.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Feature Olympus E-M10 II Panasonic ZS20
Battery Life 320 shots per charge 260 shots
Connectivity Built-in Wi-Fi None
Storage 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC SD card + Internal
Ports HDMI, USB 2.0 HDMI, USB 2.0

The Olympus supports wireless transfer via Wi-Fi, facilitating instant sharing. Panasonic lacks wireless features, a significant downside for modern workflows.

The Olympus’s longer battery life supports a full day of shooting more comfortably.

Price and Value Assessment

Camera Price (Approx.) Value Proposition
Olympus E-M10 II $499 Great mirrorless entry with interchangeable lenses, superior image quality, and advanced features at entry-level price.
Panasonic ZS20 $349 Compact travel zoom with long reach and ease-of-use for casual shooters, but compromises on image quality and features.

Putting It All Together: When to Choose Which

We tested these cameras side by side across various lighting and subject conditions. Our conclusions:

Why Choose the Olympus E-M10 II?

  • You want professional-quality images with large sensor benefits
  • You value interchangeable lenses and system expandability
  • You require high precision autofocus with face detection for portraits
  • You shoot a mix of genres including landscapes, macro, night, and video
  • You appreciate tactile controls and EVF usage
  • You want Wi-Fi connectivity for easy image sharing

Why Choose the Panasonic ZS20?

  • You prioritize a small, pocketable camera with an extraordinary zoom range
  • You mostly shoot casual travel, snapshots, or wildlife at a distance
  • You prefer an all-in-one compact with minimal fuss
  • Budget-conscious buyers who want decent video with Full HD 60p
  • You’re comfortable compromising some image fidelity for convenience

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

The Olympus E-M10 II scores notably higher across image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and expandability, while the Panasonic leads slightly in portability and zoom range.

In disciplines like portrait, landscape, macro, night, and professional shooting, the Olympus excels convincingly. The Panasonic holds its ground primarily in travel and wildlife scenarios where zoom reach and size are paramount.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

This comparison clearly shows two cameras designed with different photographers in mind.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 II is a capable, high-quality entry-level mirrorless camera - ideal if you seek versatile photographic control, system growth, and excellent image quality for a serious creative journey.

The Panasonic Lumix ZS20 excels as a superzoom travel companion, offering convenience and reach in a tiny package, but you’ll trade off some performance and creative flexibility.

Practical Tips for Buyers

  • If you’re starting out and want to learn photography basics with room to grow: Try the Olympus with a kit lens and explore lenses like primes and macros later.
  • If you need a grab-and-go camera that can capture far-off subjects without lens swaps: Consider the Panasonic as a lightweight, all-in-one tool.
  • Visit local stores to hold both, test controls, and check how images look at your preferred ISO and focal lengths.
  • Explore accessory options: For Olympus, quality Micro Four Thirds lenses and spare batteries; for Panasonic, consider carrying a compact tripod for stabilization during zoomed shots.

Your photography journey is personal. Both cameras can serve different purposes well. Understanding each camera’s technical merits and real-world trade-offs empowers you to select the tool that best aligns with your vision.

Now, go get started! Test these cameras in person if possible, and pair your choice with appropriate lenses or accessories to unleash your creativity.

Happy shooting!

Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 II and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-08-25 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16MP 14MP
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 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m (ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, flash off, 1st-curtain slow sync w/redeye, 1st-curtain slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/30p/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 390 grams (0.86 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 83 x 47mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 1.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 842 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (12 sec., 2 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $499 $349