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Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic ZS3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1X was brought out 9 years later than the ZS3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-M1X matches up versus the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1X ZS3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2019May 2009Fresher by 119 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-M1X

 ZS3 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic ZS3

 E-M1X ZS3 
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1X features outside measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1X vs the ZS3.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1X and ZS3 is 54 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1X and ZS3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1X because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1X will deliver more detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-M1X provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
67
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition (997 grams)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (870 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1X
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
68
good battery life (870 shots)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
MP count good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (997g)
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good battery life (870 shots)
has double storage slots
35
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
68
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic port
heavier than competition (997 grams)
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2019-01-24 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic VIII -
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 20 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997g (2.20 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 870 shots -
Style of battery Built-in -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $2,999 $200