Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8
82 Imaging
52 Features
73 Overall
60


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 396g - 119 x 82 x 46mm
- Released March 2014
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M10 II
(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
- Released January 2014

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M10 versus Panasonic SZ8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M10 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very comparable but the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

The E-M10 was introduced 3 months later than the SZ8 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-M10 matches up vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M10 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-M10 Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Panasonic SZ8
E-M10 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+577k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-M10
SZ8 | E-M10 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Panasonic SZ8
E-M10 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2014 | ![]() | January 2014 | Same age |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M10 enjoys outside dimensions of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M10 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M10 and the SZ8.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 and SZ8 is 82 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M10 and SZ8.
To sum up, both of those cameras have the same resolution but different sensor measurements. The E-M10 includes the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M10 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M10 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2014-03-18 | 2014-01-06 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom 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 size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.80 m (ISO100) | 5.20 m |
Flash options | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1(FULL)~1/64) | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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 | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | 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 | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 396 gr (0.87 lbs) | 159 gr (0.35 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 884 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 shots | 200 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (12 sec., 2 sec.,custom (Waiting time 1-30sec.,Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec.,Number of shots 1-10)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $600 | $275 |