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Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
81
Imaging
62
Features
83
Overall
70
Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 383g - 122 x 84 x 49mm
  • Introduced August 2020
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-M10 IV versus Panasonic ZS20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M10 IV (20MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the E-M10 IV (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M10 IV was introduced 8 years later than the ZS20 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-M10 IV grades versus the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 IV over the Panasonic ZS20

 E-M10 IV ZS20 
ReleasedAugust 2020April 2012Fresher by 101 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus E-M10 IV

 ZS20 E-M10 IV 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 IV and Panasonic ZS20

 E-M10 IV ZS20 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 IV offers physical measurements of 122mm x 84mm x 49mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 1.9") having a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M10 IV versus Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-M10 IV against the ZS20.

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M10 IV and ZS20 is 81 and 92 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 IV and ZS20.

As you can see, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M10 IV using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M10 IV will offer greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M10 IV will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M10 IV
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 IV Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 IV Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
72
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 IV as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
84
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competition (206g)
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 IV as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
82
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
42
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M10 IV
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
78
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
missing mic port
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 IV and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 IVPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2020-08-04 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 8.7 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.20 m (at ISO 200) 6.40 m
Flash modes Redeye, fill-in, off, redeye slow-sync (1st-curtain), slow sync (1st-curtain), slow sync (2nd-curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 383 grams (0.84 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 84 x 49mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 1.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $699 $349