• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic LF1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • 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
    27 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    192g vs 414g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Panasonic LF1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.90 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 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 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 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 LF1

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 Canon S100

Panasonic LF1
Canon S100
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon S100
  • $824
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon S110

Panasonic LF1
Canon S110
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M5 III
Canon S110
  • $824
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica C

Panasonic LF1
Leica C
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
Olympus E-M5 III
Leica C
  • $824
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic G100

Panasonic LF1
Panasonic G100
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $824
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Panasonic LF1
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $824
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
Compare Other Cameras?