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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched November 2008
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX5
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic LX3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and LX3 (1/1.63") provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-5 was introduced 2 years after the LX3 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-5 matches up against the LX3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic LX3

 E-5 LX3 
LaunchedFebruary 2011November 2008Newer by 28 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Olympus E-5

 LX3 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic LX3

 E-5 LX3 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 enjoys exterior measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic LX3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-5 versus the LX3.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and LX3 is 58 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The image here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and LX3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-5 will give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
40
manual focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography advice
Panasonic LX3 Street photography advice
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition in class (265g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography features
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography features
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography info
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography info
56
weather proofing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
60
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (265g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Panasonic LX3
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
MP count low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
52
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
does have external microphone support
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
30
quite wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (265 grams)
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic LX3
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-03 2008-11-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-60mm (2.5x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.0-2.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 8.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 265 grams (0.58 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 39
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 10.8
DXO Low light rating 519 94
Other
Battery life 870 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,700 $449