Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic FZ1000

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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic FZ1000

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ1000 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ1000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ1000.
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ1000 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic FZ1000 II
Compare FZ1000 vs FZ1000 II

Compare OLYMPUS E-M1 II vs PANASONIC FZ1000 II

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

757 vs 517 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
63 mm vs 130 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
497g vs 833g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Olympus E-M1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/320 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ1000 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.
Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality
Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter
Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$900
4/3

Thinner
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-M5

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$900
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Sony RX10

Olympus E-M1

Sony RX10

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$698
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GH3

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GH4

$773
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M1

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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