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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Revealed August 2017
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M10 II
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M10 IV
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly similar but the E-M10 III (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M10 III was released 3 years later than the SZ8 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-M10 III grades vs the SZ8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Panasonic SZ8

 E-M10 III SZ8 
IntroducedAugust 2017January 2014Fresher by 45 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 SZ8 E-M10 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic SZ8

 E-M10 III SZ8 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 III comes with physical measurements of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M10 III and the SZ8.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 III and SZ8 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 III and SZ8.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M10 III includes the larger sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The newer E-M10 III will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Street photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competitors in class (410g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
67
includes focus via touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors in class (410 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
32
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (410 grams)
32
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2017-08-31 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 410g (0.90 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" 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 330 pictures 200 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $650 $275