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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 II was manufactured 5 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-M5 II scores vs the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-M5 II ZS3 
ReleasedFebruary 2015May 2009More modern by 70 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 ZS3 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic ZS3

 E-M5 II ZS3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 II has got outer measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 II compared to the ZS3.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 II and ZS3 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The image below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 II and ZS3.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 II because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M5 II will show greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography information
82
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
65
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
bad battery power (310 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
74
weather sealing
provides focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery power (310 per charge)
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery power (310 CIPA)
35
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 II
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
82
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2015-02-06 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
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 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469 grams (1.03 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $699 $200