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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 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 FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and FP5 (14MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and FP5 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-420 was manufactured 3 years prior to the FP5 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-420 matches up versus the FP5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic FP5

 E-420 FP5 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Olympus E-420

 FP5 E-420 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2008Newer by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FP5

 E-420 FP5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 provides exterior measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic FP5 has specifications of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-420 versus the FP5.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and FP5 is 77 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and FP5.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FP5 will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography details
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
33
MP count decent (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography info
Panasonic FP5 Street photography info
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (426 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography features
Panasonic FP5 Sports photography features
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery pack (260 per charge)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FP5 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than average (426g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (260 shots)
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography details
47
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
40
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
good battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP5 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
30
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FP5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FP5
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2008-06-23 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 lb) 141g (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $999 $199