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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Released February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Successor is Olympus E-5
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • Later Model is Panasonic S5 II
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and S5 (24MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-3 was brought out 13 years prior to the S5 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-3 scores against the S5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Panasonic S5

 E-3 S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-3

 S5 E-3 
ReleasedAugust 2020February 2008Fresher by 151 months
Screen sizing3.0"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1840k230kCrisper screen (+1610k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Panasonic S5

 E-3 S5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 has exterior dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S5 has dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

See the Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-3 versus the S5.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and S5 is 56 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and S5.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S5 will give you extra detail having its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography info
57
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
86
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S5 Street photography highlights
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Sports photography camera
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Panasonic S5
55
weather proof
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
79
environment sealing
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Landscape photography camera
56
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (10MP)
no Timelapse recording
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.0 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S5 Vlogging factors
18
no video recording
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
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Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic S5
 Olympus E-3Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-3 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2008-02-20 2020-08-14
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Available lenses 45 31
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3.0 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,840 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890g (1.96 lb) 714g (1.57 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 440 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Storage slots Single Two
Cost at release $670 $1,999