• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic FZ300 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $448* vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic FZ300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • 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 117 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    414g vs 724g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 12.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 12.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 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
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Improved ergonomics; Impressive new EVF and rear display; Versatile 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8 lens; Faster autofocus performance; 4K video and 4K Photo features.

  • Bulky camera body; Excessive default noise reduction applied at lower ISOs; Continuous autofocus performance is inconsistent.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ300 Review

  • 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 Fujifilm HS30EXR

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm HS30EXR
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Fujifilm HS30EXR

Olympus E-M5 III
Fujifilm HS30EXR
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Fujifilm HS30EXR

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic FZ200
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Panasonic FZ200

Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic FZ200
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic FZ200

Compared to Fujifilm S8200

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm S8200
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $325
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Fujifilm S8200

Olympus E-M5 III
Fujifilm S8200
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $325
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Fujifilm S8200

Compared to Panasonic G100

Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic G100
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ300 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 FZ300
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ300 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

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