• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $299* 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    243g vs 414g
    Lighter weight

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    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 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 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 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 ZS50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic ZS40
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic ZS35
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon SX700 HS
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic G100

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic G100
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Panasonic ZS50
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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
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