Clicky

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS8
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic ZS7, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZS7 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The E-5 was released 5 months before the ZS7 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-5 scores against the ZS7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic ZS7

 E-5 ZS7 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Olympus E-5

 ZS7 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS7

 E-5 ZS7 
ReleasedFebruary 2011July 2011Same age
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 has physical dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS7 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic ZS7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-5 and the ZS7.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and ZS7 is 58 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and ZS7.

All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-5 features the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Street photography highlights
71
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography highlights
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography advice
56
weather sealing
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
63
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
MP count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
38
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging features
64
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
does have external mic port
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS7
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-02-03 2011-07-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 218 grams (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual Single
Cost at launch $1,700 $350