• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ40 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 580 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ40

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    49 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Silver)
All E-M5 III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.

  • Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Nikon P90

Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon P90
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon P90

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic FZ47
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic FZ47

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic FZ47
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ47

Compared to Panasonic G100

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic G100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Compare Other Cameras?