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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 III
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M10 II
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M10 IV
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic FZ40, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-M10 III (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-M10 III was introduced 7 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-M10 III matches up against the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-M10 III FZ40 
ReleasedAugust 2017July 2010More recent by 87 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 FZ40 E-M10 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic FZ40

 E-M10 III FZ40 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M10 III has exterior dimensions of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-M10 III against the FZ40.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 III and FZ40 is 80 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M10 III and FZ40.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M10 III with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M10 III will deliver extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-M10 III should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
46
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than competition in class (410 grams)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
67
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition in class (410g)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging highlights
32
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (410g)
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than average in class (494g)
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2017-08-31 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lb) 494 gr (1.09 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 330 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $650 $420