Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15
58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58


92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Introduced February 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Launched June 2012
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
- Later Model is Panasonic ZS20

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

The E-5 was manufactured 17 months earlier than the ZS15 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-5 matches up versus the ZS15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Panasonic ZS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic ZS15
E-5 | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus E-5
ZS15 | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 17 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS15
E-5 | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 enjoys physical dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-5 and the ZS15.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and ZS15 is 58 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and ZS15.
Plainly, both of those cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-5 has got the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field simpler. The more aged E-5 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus E-5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ25 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-02-03 | 2012-06-29 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 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 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Cross focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Total lenses | 45 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 920k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 15s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) | 6.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 pounds) | 208 gr (0.46 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 260 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLM-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Dual | Single |
Cost at release | $1,700 | $279 |