Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic ZS5

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic ZS5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-300 was brought out 6 years prior to the ZS5 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-300 matches up versus the ZS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-300 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-300 Gallery and Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-300 has outer dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") with a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-300 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-300 and the ZS5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-300 and ZS5 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The graphic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and ZS5.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-300 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic ZS5 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-300 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.