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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Successor is OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS50
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZS45, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and ZS45 (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZS45 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 III was unveiled 4 years after the ZS45 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-M5 III scores versus the ZS45 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZS45

 E-M5 III ZS45 
ReleasedOctober 2019January 2015More modern by 59 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZS45 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS45

 E-M5 III ZS45 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution1040k1040kIdentical screen resolution

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III offers external dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS45 has proportions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZS45 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 III and the ZS45.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and ZS45 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and ZS45.

Clearly, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M5 III will offer you more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 III provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
77
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
37
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Street photography camera
83
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (249 grams)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography information
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (310 shots)
55
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography info
77
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
71
great battery pack (350 shots)
lighter than competitors (249 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS45
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
47
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
great battery pack (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
84
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone socket
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (249g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS45
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-10-17 2015-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type MOS CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 21
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lb) 249 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" 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 photographs 350 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $1,199 $300