Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
71


95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 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
- Replaced the Olympus E-M5 II
- Successor is OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2012

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview
Here is a extensive review of the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

The E-M5 III was launched 7 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-M5 III grades vs the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery and Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic SZ1
E-M5 III | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2019 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 95 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+810k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-M5 III
SZ1 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic SZ1
E-M5 III | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 III has got 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 SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 III vs the SZ1.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and SZ1 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and SZ1.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 III due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M5 III will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 III should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2019-10-17 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 surface area | 226.2mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 4cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 8 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 30.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 414g (0.91 pounds) | 131g (0.29 pounds) |
Dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 images | 250 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | 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 (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $1,199 | $179 |