• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Panasonic ZS45

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS45 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic ZS45
Olympus E-M1
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic G3
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Sony H90

Olympus E-M5
Sony H90
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Sony H90

Panasonic ZS45
Sony H90
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony H90

Compared to Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-P5

Panasonic ZS45
Olympus E-P5
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Olympus E-P5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic GX7
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Panasonic GX7

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