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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and FX48 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-5 was unveiled 2 years later than the FX48 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-5 matches up against the FX48 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic FX48

 E-5 FX48 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011January 2009Fresher by 25 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus E-5

 FX48 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FX48

 E-5 FX48 
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 provides exterior measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Panasonic FX48 has proportions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-5 compared to the FX48.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and FX48 is 58 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and FX48.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The E-5 contains the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field less difficult. The more modern E-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
27
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Panasonic FX48
71
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Panasonic FX48
56
environment proofing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
58
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging details
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging details
64
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
includes microphone jack
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Other name - Lumix DMC-FX40
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-03 2009-01-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ -
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/3000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 150g (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Price at release $1,700 $325