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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-5 was manufactured 8 months after the ZS5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-5 grades versus the ZS5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-5 ZS5 
IntroducedFebruary 2011June 2010More modern by 8 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-5

 ZS5 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS5

 E-5 ZS5 
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 offers external 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 ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-5 vs the ZS5.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and ZS5 is 58 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The pic here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and ZS5.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The E-5 includes the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier. The newer E-5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
27
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
56
environment proofing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
MP count low (12MP)
missing Timelapse mode
33
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging factors
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
comes with microphone port
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-02-03 2010-06-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing 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 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 214g (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Retail cost $1,700 $300