• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS45 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

  • Less expensive
    $199* vs $799
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Panasonic ZS45

  • 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.78 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 ZS45

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

Review Excerpt

  • Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.

  • Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Sony H90

Panasonic ZS45
Sony H90
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Olympus E-M10 III
Sony H90
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon L610

Panasonic ZS45
Nikon L610
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
Olympus E-M10 III
Nikon L610
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic ZS35
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic ZS35
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic ZS45
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M10 III
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic GX85
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic GX85
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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