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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Released October 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • New Model is OM System OM-5
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic FZ40, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and FZ40 (14MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 III was launched 9 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-M5 III scores vs the FZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-M5 III FZ40 
ReleasedOctober 2019July 2010More modern by 113 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 FZ40 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic FZ40

 E-M5 III FZ40 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III provides external measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 III vs the FZ40.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and FZ40 is 80 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and FZ40.

As you can see, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will provide more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger E-M5 III will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography advice
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
46
manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
83
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography details
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography features
77
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
54
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (494g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
51
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
84
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic jack
23
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
heavier than others (494g)
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-10-17 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
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 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 310 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $1,199 $420