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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Announced October 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Updated by OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very similar but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZS40 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-M5 III was launched 5 years later than the ZS40 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M5 III scores versus the ZS40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZS40

 E-M5 III ZS40 
LaunchedOctober 2019January 2014Fresher by 71 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZS40 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS40

 E-M5 III ZS40 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 III has got external dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-M5 III versus the ZS40.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and ZS40 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and ZS40.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 III featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 III provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography details
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
52
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
83
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (240 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (310 per charge)
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography advice
77
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (310 per charge)
69
lighter than competition (240g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery pack (310 shots)
56
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
84
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2019-10-17 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 18 megapixel
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 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 gr (0.91 pounds) 240 gr (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 shots 300 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,199 $450