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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Revealed July 2015
  • Succeeded the Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FZ300, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-5 was unveiled 5 years before the FZ300 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-5 grades vs the FZ300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic FZ300

 E-5 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus E-5

 FZ300 E-5 
RevealedJuly 2015February 2011Fresher by 54 months
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FZ300

 E-5 FZ300 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 features outside dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ300 has measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") and a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FZ300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-5 compared to the FZ300.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and FZ300 is 58 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and FZ300.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-5 features the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier. The older E-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ300
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
46
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography information
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography information
71
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
59
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proof
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography info
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
56
environment proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
59
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
weather proof
comes with touch focus
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
heavier than average (691g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
52
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery (380 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging features
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging features
64
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
includes mic port
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
62
really wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (691g)
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-02-03 2015-07-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 49
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 691 gr (1.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images 380 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Dual 1
Launch price $1,700 $598