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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-M5 versus Panasonic ZS15, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 was launched 2 months earlier than the ZS15 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M5 scores versus the ZS15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic ZS15

		

		

			
 E-M5 ZS15 
Manual focus  Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution610k460kClearer display (+150k dot)
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 ZS15 E-M5 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS15

		

		

			
 E-M5 ZS15 
ReleasedApril 2012June 2012Similar age
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen  Absent selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 features outside dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-M5 versus Panasonic ZS15 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 and the ZS15.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and ZS15 is 81 and 92 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at specifications. The photograph here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 and ZS15.
To sum up, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M5 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively.
	
			Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
71
 has manual focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 exports RAW formats
21
 lack of manual focus
 cannot use external flash
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
82
 screen tilts up and down
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW formats
 supports touch to focus
 environment proof
 above average ISO range (25,600)
61
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors in class (208g)
 no articulating screen
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
67
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 environment proof
 lack of phase detect autofocus
36
 amazing zoom range (24-384mm  16.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 has tracking focus
 max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
 megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 not so great battery power (260 shots)
 lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
 Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
66
 environment proof
 supports touch to focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
 screen is not selfie friendly
61
 lighter than competitors in class (208g)
 has built in flash
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 great reach (384mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse mode
 not so great battery power (260 per charge)
 megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
73
 has manual focus
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW formats
 environment proof
 lack of Time Lapse mode
37
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 lack of manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
 megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
 not so great battery power (260 per charge)
 doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
34
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 lack of mic socket
33
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-04-30 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 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 resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures    
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 610k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Screen tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 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    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 425 gr (0.94 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 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 All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $799 $279