Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ30: A Hands-On Camera Comparison from My Experience

When it comes to cameras, especially for those of us who have spent thousands of hours behind the viewfinder in varied conditions, no comparison is complete without diving beyond specs tables and marketing buzz. I’ve tested both the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 extensively to bring you a comprehensive, no-nonsense comparison grounded in firsthand experience. These two cameras sit at very different price points and cater to distinct users - yet they often get mentioned in the same breath due to their recognizable brand names and digital photography heritage.

This article is for enthusiasts, pros, and curious photographers who want a deep dive into how these cameras perform across a slew of photographic disciplines, from portraits to wild landscapes to action-packed events. Along the way, I’ll share technical insights, practical tips, image samples, and an honest assessment of strengths and trade-offs. So let’s get started.

Seeing the Cameras in Hand: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

First impressions matter. When I hold a camera, I assess whether it feels like an extension of my eye and hand - comfortable, robust, intuitive.

Right away, you see the Olympus E-M5 III is designed with DSLR-style ergonomics despite being mirrorless. Its magnesium alloy body weighs just 414g and fits snugly in the hand. Controls are well laid out, and the grip is sculpted for longer shoots without fatigue. The Panasonic LZ30, on the other hand, is a bulkier bridge camera, weighing 552g and chunkier to accommodate its superzoom fixed lens.

Looking from above, the E-M5 III boasts dedicated mode dials, customizable buttons, and a tidy control cluster optimized for quick manual adjustments. The LZ30 offers fewer controls, focusing on ease and simplicity for casual shooters - a mode dial plus basic exposure compensation, but no aperture/shutter priority.

Despite the LZ30’s heft, it fits reasonably well in the hand, but the ergonomics feel less refined for professional use - more designed for point-and-shoot convenience. The E-M5 III clearly targets photographers who prioritize responsiveness and control.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: A Great Divide

The heart of any camera is its sensor, which determines image fidelity, low-light ability, dynamic range, and more.

The Olympus E-M5 III employs a 20-megapixel MOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm (Four Thirds system). The Panasonic LZ30 is equipped with a much smaller 16MP CCD sensor, measuring only 6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3" type).

This size discrepancy dramatically affects image quality. From my tests, the Olympus sensor produces cleaner files with improved noise performance, especially beyond ISO 1600. In contrast, the Panasonic’s sensor struggles with noise from ISO 400 upwards - expected given its tiny physical size - rendering images softer and less detailed, especially at the long end of the zoom.

The Four Thirds system’s larger sensor area enables richer color gradation and improved dynamic range. Olympus also includes an anti-aliasing filter that balances sharpness with moiré control, a thoughtful design touch.

Practical takeaway: For photographers serious about image quality, especially for large prints or critical editing, the E-M5 III has a decisive advantage.

LCD Screens and Electronic Viewfinder Experience

Both the Olympus and Panasonic feature 3-inch screens, but their usability and detail differ markedly.

The E-M5 III offers a fully articulating, high-resolution touchscreen (1.04M dots) that supports touch-to-focus and menu navigation - a real boon when shooting video or working at unusual angles. This articulation is invaluable for vloggers and macro shooters alike.

The Panasonic’s fixed 460k-dot TFT LCD feels dated and limits compositional flexibility. Additionally, the LZ30 lacks any electronic or optical viewfinder, relying solely on this LCD - a hindrance in bright sunlight or for steady framing.

The Olympus includes a bright built-in electronic viewfinder (2.36M dots), which delivers a sharp, lag-free live view, essential for disciplined compositions and fast action.

User advice: If you value framing precision and real-time focusing feedback, especially outdoors, Olympus’s viewfinder and articulating touchscreen offer an overwhelmingly superior experience.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus performance is often the deal-breaker for wildlife, sports, and candid street photography.

Olympus’s E-M5 III is outfitted with a hybrid autofocus system - combining phase detection and contrast detection on its 121-point grid - enabling fast, accurate AF even in low light. Face and eye detection AF work reliably, locking quickly on moving subjects. While it lacks dedicated animal eye AF, I found it competent with birds and pets in my field tests.

In comparison, the Panasonic LZ30 uses basic contrast-detection AF with no phase detection. Focus speeds are slow, especially at longer focal lengths, and tracking subjects effectively is nearly impossible. Face detection isn’t supported, limiting its candid shooting reliability.

The Olympus camera’s high-speed 30fps burst shooting is supported by continuous AF tracking, a vital feature for sports and wildlife photography. The Panasonic only offers single-shot capture, more suited for static scenes.

From my experience: For any genre requiring fast, reliable autofocus - sports, wildlife, or fleeting street moments - the E-M5 III is clearly the superior tool.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

A major strength of the E-M5 III is its Micro Four Thirds lens mount, providing access to an extensive system of over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers.

This includes native primes, professional-quality zooms, ultra-wide angles, super telephotos, macro lenses, and everything in-between. I’ve personally used the E-M5 III with Olympus’s 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro zoom for portraits, as well as the 60mm macro for close-ups - delivering stellar image quality across the board.

The Panasonic LZ30, however, is a fixed-lens superzoom camera, with a massive 25-875mm equivalent focal range but max apertures of only f/3.0-5.9. While versatile, the lens compromises optical quality at the longest focal lengths and awkwardly handles wide apertures for shallow depth of field or low light.

Consideration: If you want to grow your system or experiment with specialized optics, the Olympus offers far greater creative freedom.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

For professionals and avid travelers, durability is often non-negotiable.

The Olympus E-M5 III boasts a weather-sealed, magnesium alloy chassis rated to resist dust, splash, and freezing temperatures - a vital feature I tested photographing early morning landscapes in mist and light rain. The Panasonic LZ30, being an entry-level superzoom, is not weather sealed and feels more vulnerable to rough handling and environmental hazards.

Though the LZ30 feels sturdy for its class, if you want a rugged workhorse for demanding locations, Olympus is the reliable choice.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is an important real-world factor I often examine during field shoots.

The Olympus E-M5 III uses a proprietary BLN-1 battery pack delivering approximately 310 shots per charge - typical for a mirrorless camera with electronic viewfinder and compact size. It supports fast charging and USB power input but no battery grip option.

The Panasonic LZ30 runs on 4 AA batteries, which can be replaced easily in the field, offering around 380 shots on alkaline batteries. While convenient for travel without access to power outlets, AA batteries add weight and environmental waste.

Both cameras offer SD card support (UHS-II in Olympus), but Olympus’s single slot supports faster write speeds and larger capacities - valuable for shooting 4K video and burst photography.

Video Capabilities

Videographers will appreciate the Olympus E-M5 III’s advanced video specs: 4K UHD up to 24p with 237 Mbps bitrate in MOV H.264, complete with in-body 5-axis image stabilization - a big plus for handheld shooting.

The Panasonic LZ30 only offers HD 720p video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, resulting in lower quality and limited editing latitude. There’s no microphone or headphone input, limiting audio control severely.

Olympus’s articulating touchscreen and live view AF make videography fluent, while Panasonic’s lack of such features restricts creative flexibility.

Practical Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Weaknesses by Genre

Let me walk you through how these cameras perform in real shooting scenarios across popular genres.

Portraiture

With Olympus’s superior sensor, 5-axis IBIS, and bigger lens selection, portraits benefit from smooth bokeh and natural skin tones. Eye detection AF reliably locks focus on subjects even at wide apertures, producing sharp, flattering faces.

By contrast, Panasonic’s fixed lens and smaller sensor limit background blur, plus its lack of eye AF requires manual precision. Skin tones can appear flat due to smaller sensor dynamic range.

Landscape

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution are key. Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor with higher native ISO performance and weather sealing makes it perfect for arduous outdoor shoots. The articulated screen lets you compose from tricky angles, and focus stacking helps capture maximum depth.

Panasonic’s superzoom aims more at casual shooting; images lack the fine detail and tonal nuance for demanding landscapes, especially in low light.

Wildlife and Sports

Fast autofocus, tracking, and high-speed burst rates on Olympus set it apart. The 30fps speed with continuous AF enables me to capture split-second bird flight or soccer players mid-action. Telephoto lenses with image stabilization help lock sharp frames.

Panasonic’s AF is too slow and frame rates too low, making it frustrating for these fast-paced genres.

Street Photography

Here, size and discretion matter. Olympus balances solid grip with compactness, and the silent electronic shutter allows candid shots without noise. The articulating screen aids shooting at waist level or from unusual perspectives.

Panasonic’s large, bulky bridge form factor and loud lens movement hinder street photography’s stealthiness.

Macro

Olympus’s extensive lens options include dedicated macro primes, and in-body stabilization aids handholding at high magnifications. Focus bracketing and stacking are supported via firmware - features I value for extreme close-ups.

Panasonic’s fixed lens offers a minimal 1cm macro focus but lacks stabilization and advanced triggering options.

Night and Astro

Olympus shines with low noise at high ISO and long exposures, plus sensor stabilization minimizes star trailing in short exposures. It supports custom timelapses, invaluable for astro enthusiasts.

Panasonic’s sensor struggles with noise and offers no native astro features.

Travel

The Olympus is versatile, weather-sealed, and robust - a trusted companion for diverse conditions. Battery life is reasonable, and the extensive lens system adapts to any scenario, though some lenses add weight.

Panasonic’s LZ30’s superzoom reduces gear needs, appealing for all-in-one travel simplicity but at the expense of image quality and creative control.

Raw Processing and Workflow Integration

I shoot extensively in RAW to preserve maximum editing flexibility. Olympus supports lossless compressed RAW files (ORF), widely compatible with Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and Olympus Workspace.

The Panasonic LZ30 lacks RAW support entirely, limiting post-processing. This compromises image quality and control, especially under challenging light.

Wireless, Connectivity, and Extras

Olympus supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless remote control and image transfer via the Olympus Image Share app. HDMI output accommodates external monitors.

The Panasonic LZ30 omits wireless connectivity and has no HDMI port. USB 2.0 is available on both but limited to data transfer.

Pricing and Value Analysis

Retailing at roughly $1200 for the Olympus E-M5 III and about $230 for the Panasonic LZ30, price differences reflect their respective positions.

As expected, Olympus commands a premium for its advanced features, build quality, and professional-targeted versatility.

Panasonic represents an entry-level superzoom option with reasonable performance for casual users or those on a strict budget.

Real-World Image Samples

I captured side-by-side images of the same scenes with both cameras to highlight tangible differences.

Olympus E M5 III front Olympus E M5 III screen back Panasonic LZ30 front Panasonic LZ30 screen back

Observe the richer detail, superior color rendering, and cleaner noise profile of the E-M5 III files compared to Panasonic’s softer, noisier shots, especially in shadows.

Performance by Photography Specialty

For a quick overview, here’s how I scored them across photography disciplines based on extended shooting and image analysis:

This chart reaffirms Olympus’s dominance across all fields except obvious budget or casual use - the domain of Panasonic.

Summary: Which Camera Fits Your Photography?

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 III is a remarkably capable, versatile camera suited for ambitious enthusiasts and pros alike. It delivers exceptional image quality, robust build, pro-grade autofocus, and an expansive lens ecosystem. If you prioritize creative control, durability, and consistent high-performance shooting across genres, this is an excellent investment.

In contrast, the Panasonic LZ30 caters to casual photographers desiring broad zoom coverage in a single, simple package. It’s a budget-friendly choice for travel snapshots, family events, and beginner experimentation but lacks the performance and adaptability for professional or serious hobbyist work.

My Recommendations for Potential Buyers

• If you want to seriously pursue multiple genres with a camera that grows with you, invest in the Olympus E-M5 III. It thrives in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, video, and more - all backed by a strong lens lineup and advanced features.

• If your priority is affordability and zoom versatility in a grab-and-go style camera, the Panasonic LZ30 is satisfactory for simple photo needs and casual travel. Just temper expectations on image quality and functionality.

• Professional users should consider Olympus for reliable, professional-grade RAW files, robust autofocus, and workflow integration. Panasonic lacks these essentials.

• Travel and street photographers will appreciate the lightweight, compact form, silent shutter, and weather sealing of Olympus over Panasonic’s bulkier, noisier approach.

Final Thoughts

Photography is a deeply personal art, and equipment choice hinges on your unique creative workflow and budget. In my hands-on experience, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III impresses with its balance of portability, toughness, and high-end capabilities - a camera ready to capture any story you want to tell.

The Panasonic LZ30 serves as a reminder that ease and zoom coverage come at the expense of image fidelity and pro features. For beginners or those unwilling to carry heavy gear, it can be a fun introduction to photography, but it is no substitute for the thoughtful engineering behind the E-M5 III.

Whichever you choose, I encourage you to try each in person, handle the controls, and shoot some test images. That tactile experience combined with this detailed comparison should help you confidently select your next camera companion.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Olympus or Panasonic. This comparison is based purely on careful testing and personal expertise accumulated over 15+ years reviewing photographic gear in field and studio environments.