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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-410
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-420 versus Panasonic FH5, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and FH5 (16MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and FH5 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-420 was introduced 3 years earlier than the FH5 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-420 matches up against the FH5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic FH5

 E-420 FH5 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus E-420

 FH5 E-420 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011June 2008Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH5

 E-420 FH5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 has outside measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH5 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-420 versus Panasonic FH5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-420 vs the FH5.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and FH5 is 77 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and FH5.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-420 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FH5 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-420 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography factors
56
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Street photography factors
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (426 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography highlights
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
52
lighter than average in class (426g)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (500 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition in class (121g)
has focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH5
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
33
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (121g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS18
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2008-06-23 2011-01-05
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 pounds) 121 gr (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 260 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $999 $169