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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Launched October 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Updated by OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZR3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M5 III was released 9 years after the ZR3 which is quite a significant 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 ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-M5 III grades vs the ZR3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-M5 III ZR3 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2010More modern by 119 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZR3 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZR3

 E-M5 III ZR3 

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III provides outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the ZR3.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and ZR3 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and ZR3.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 III is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
77
manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography highlights
83
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (310 shots)
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography features
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (310 shots)
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography factors
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery pack (310 CIPA)
37
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
84
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic socket
29
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2019-10-17 2010-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 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 data
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1300s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414g (0.91 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Battery style 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 One One
Retail cost $1,199 $280