Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20
80 Imaging
62 Features
88 Overall
72
![Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III/Olympus-E-M5-III-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ20/Panasonic-LZ20-front.jpg)
71 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
- Announced October 2019
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
- Refreshed by OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
- Introduced July 2012
- Updated by Panasonic LZ30
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ20, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
The E-M5 III was brought out 7 years later than the LZ20 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-M5 III scores versus the LZ20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery and Panasonic LZ20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic LZ20
E-M5 III | LZ20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2019 | ![]() | July 2012 | More recent by 89 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-M5 III
LZ20 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ20
E-M5 III | LZ20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III features outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III vs the LZ20.
![Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ20-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and LZ20 is 80 and 71 respectively.
![Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ20-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic here will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and LZ20.
All in all, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 III featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will offer you greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 III is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ20-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LZ20-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2019-10-17 | 2012-07-18 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VIII | - |
Sensor type | MOS | 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 | 20MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 121 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.1-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | - | 2cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 15s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000s | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 30.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250s | - |
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 | 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 414 grams (0.91 lb) | 499 grams (1.10 lb) |
Dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 380 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $1,199 | $250 |