Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic SZ8

The following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic SZ8, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 was brought out 20 months earlier than the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-M5 scores versus the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 offers exterior dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M5 and the SZ8.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and SZ8 is 81 and 94 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specs. The picture here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and SZ8.

All in all, both of those cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-M5 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier. The more aged E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.