Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS20

Here is a extensive review of the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS20, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-5 was released 14 months prior to the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-5 matches up against the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 has got outer dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 and the ZS20.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and ZS20 is 58 and 92 respectively.

Normally, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and ZS20.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-5 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The older E-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.