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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS10, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the ZS10 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and ZS10 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

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The E-M5 was unveiled 16 months after the ZS10 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-M5 grades against the ZS10 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic ZS10

 E-M5 ZS10 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2011More modern by 16 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution610k460kCrisper screen (+150k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Olympus E-M5

 ZS10 E-M5 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS10

 E-M5 ZS10 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 has outside 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 ZS10 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS10 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M5 versus the ZS10.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and ZS10 is 81 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at specifications. The pic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and ZS10.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-M5 will give you more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS10
71
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
30
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS10 Street photography details
82
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (219g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS10 Sports photography info
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS10 Travel photography highlights
66
environment sealing
offers focus via touch
good MP (16MP)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
67
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
has focus via touch
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (260 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS10 as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
missing Time Lapse function
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging features
34
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
34
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS10
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-04-30 2011-01-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
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 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 610 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425 gr (0.94 lbs) 219 gr (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 260 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $799 $350