Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3
80 Imaging
53 Features
84 Overall
65


94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
- Launched February 2015
- Previous Model is Olympus E-M5
- New Model is Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Announced January 2010
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic ZR3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

The E-M5 II was released 5 years after the ZR3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-M5 II grades versus the ZR3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 II Gallery and Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic ZR3
E-M5 II | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2015 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 62 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-M5 II
ZR3 | E-M5 II |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic ZR3
E-M5 II | ZR3 |
---|
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 II enjoys exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 II versus the ZR3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and ZR3 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and ZR3.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M5 II will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer E-M5 II provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2015-02-06 | 2010-01-26 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | MOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/1300s |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 469 gr (1.03 lb) | 159 gr (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 73 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 896 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $699 | $280 |