Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100

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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZS100

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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 - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS100.
Compare Panasonic ZS100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic ZS100 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Compare OLYMPUS E-M1 II vs PANASONIC ZS200

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

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)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.3 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 ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

757 vs 559 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Olympus E-M1

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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
44 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 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
Lighter weight
309g vs 497g
Lighter weight
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 ZS100 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

Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.
Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.
Read our Panasonic ZS100 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 ZS100

Olympus E-M5

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$900
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Olympus E-M5

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 ZS100

Panasonic GH3

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic GH4

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GX8

Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic GX8

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100 VI

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$949
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$949
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

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