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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS20
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS30
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the ZS25 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and ZS25 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 was announced 8 months before the ZS25 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-M5 matches up against the ZS25 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic ZS25

 E-M5 ZS25 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution610k460kCrisper display (+150k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Olympus E-M5

 ZS25 E-M5 
ReleasedJanuary 2013April 2012Fresher by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS25

 E-M5 ZS25 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 offers outside dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS25 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M5 compared to the ZS25.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and ZS25 is 81 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and ZS25.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M5 contains the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult. The older E-M5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
32
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5
Street photography with Panasonic ZS25
82
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (193 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Travel photography camera
66
environment proofing
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (193 grams)
comes with focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Landscape photography camera
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
43
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging factors
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
34
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (193g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic ZS25
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ35
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-04-30 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 610 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425g (0.94 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $799 $300