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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Replacement is OM System OM-5
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZS50, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and ZS50 (12MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M5 III was brought out 4 years later than the ZS50 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-M5 III scores versus the ZS50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic ZS50

 E-M5 III ZS50 
RevealedOctober 2019January 2015Fresher by 59 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 ZS50 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS50

 E-M5 III ZS50 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution1040k1040kExact same display resolution

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III enjoys outer measurements 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 ZS50 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 III versus the ZS50.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and ZS50 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and ZS50.

All in all, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 III featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M5 III will provide more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
42
you can focus manually
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
83
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features touch focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (243g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Sports photography camera
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery power (310 CIPA)
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
low battery power (310 shots)
66
lighter than others in class (243 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
low battery power (310 shots)
51
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
84
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic port
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (243g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic ZS50
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2019-10-17 2015-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
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 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
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lbs) 243 grams (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 310 photographs 300 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack 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 1 1
Launch price $1,199 $350