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

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Differences

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $398* 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
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    102 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.19 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 9.5 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

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 ZS70

Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS70
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic ZS70
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $516
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon SX740 HS
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $516
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon A1000

Panasonic ZS80
Nikon A1000
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon A1000
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic G100

Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic G100
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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 ZS80
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $398
  • 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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