• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $598* vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 11.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 11.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic LX100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Olympus E-M5 III
Sony RX100 III
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon G7X
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus E-M5 III
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon G5X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G5X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon G5X
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic LX100
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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