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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Successor is OM System OM-5
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Introduced February 2019
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the S1 (24MP) is relatively similar but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and S1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 III was unveiled 9 months after the S1 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M5 III matches up against the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic S1

 E-M5 III S1 
IntroducedOctober 2019February 2019Newer by 9 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 S1 E-M5 III 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1040kSharper screen (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic S1

 E-M5 III S1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III has outside measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has specifications of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III versus the S1.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and S1 is 80 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 III and S1.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic S1 will offer you more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
85
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/320s)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Street photography with Panasonic S1
83
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
70
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Sports photography with Panasonic S1
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
59
weather sealing
has bluetooth
provides focus by touch
decent MP (24MP)
not so great battery pack (380 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography information
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging factors
Panasonic S1 Vlogging factors
84
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic support
32
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,021g)
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2019-10-17 2019-02-01
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
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 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 225
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Available lenses 107 30
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 2,100k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 5,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414g (0.91 lb) 1021g (2.25 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 3333
Other
Battery life 310 images 380 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) -
Card slots One Dual
Cost at release $1,199 $2,498