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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Replacement is OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS15, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 III was unveiled 7 years later than the ZS15 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M5 III matches up versus the ZS15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZS15

 E-M5 III ZS15 
ReleasedOctober 2019June 2012Fresher by 89 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZS15 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS15

 E-M5 III ZS15 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III enjoys outer dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS15 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III and the ZS15.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and ZS15 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The visual here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and ZS15.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 III having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M5 III will show extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 III will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography details
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography info
83
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery power (310 per charge)
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery power (310 CIPA)
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (260 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery power (310 CIPA)
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
84
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2019-10-17 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 gr (0.91 pounds) 208 gr (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 pictures 260 pictures
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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,199 $279