Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Cameras
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Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic FZ1000

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10.
Compare Olympus E-M10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ1000 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ1000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ1000.
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ1000 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 II
Compare E-M10 vs E-M10 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic FZ1000 II
Compare FZ1000 vs FZ1000 II

Compare OLYMPUS E-M10 II vs PANASONIC FZ1000 II

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Differences

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

884 vs 517 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
45 mm vs 130 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Olympus E-M10

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.58x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
73 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M10 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ1000 User Reviews

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Panasonic FZ1000

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Review Excerpt

Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.
Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.
Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality
Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter
Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Olympus E-M10

Sony RX10

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$698
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GX7

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$648
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M10

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

$399
4/3

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-M10 II

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$349
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX85

$399
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GX85

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic GX85

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