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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Updated by OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 III was released 10 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-M5 III matches up vs the ZS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-M5 III ZS1 
ReleasedOctober 2019May 2009Newer by 127 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZS1 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS1

 E-M5 III ZS1 

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 III offers 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 ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 III and the ZS1.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and ZS1 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The pic here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and ZS1.

Plainly, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 III will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography factors
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
25
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography info
83
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography information
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
63
lighter than competition (229g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
84
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic port
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2019-10-17 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 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 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,199 $0