Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Launched November 2011
- Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Launched July 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS8, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PM1 was revealed 5 months after the ZS8 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.
Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZS8
E-PM1 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very exact focus | |||
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-PM1
ZS8 | E-PM1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS8
E-PM1 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2011 | July 2011 | Same age | |
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement | |
Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 vs the ZS8.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and ZS8 is 89 and 92 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and ZS8.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS8 will result in greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ18 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2011-11-23 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VI | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 3cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 gr (0.58 pounds) | 210 gr (0.46 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 340 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
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 |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $499 | $275 |