Clicky

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 front
Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Announced October 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Replacement is Olympus E-510
Panasonic FZ150
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 528g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2012
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and FZ150 (12MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and FZ150 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-500 was brought out 7 years before the FZ150 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FZ150 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-500 scores against the FZ150 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Panasonic FZ150

 E-500 FZ150 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ150 over the Olympus E-500

 FZ150 E-500 
AnnouncedApril 2012October 2005More recent by 78 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k215kCrisper display (+245k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic FZ150

 E-500 FZ150 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-500 comes with physical measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ150 has measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 528 grams (1.16 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-500 compared to the FZ150.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and FZ150 is 70 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading through specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and FZ150.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-500 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic FZ150 will resolve greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The older E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ150
49
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
41
focusing manually
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-500
Street photography with Panasonic FZ150
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
58
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (528g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-500
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ150
37
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great battery (410 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-500
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ150
52
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
56
great battery (410 CIPA)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (528g)
resolution not great (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ150 as a Landscape photography camera
43
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
does not have Timelapse function
48
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
great battery (410 per charge)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ150 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
62
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than others in class (528g)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ150 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Panasonic FZ150
 Olympus E-500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
Also referred to as EVOLT E-500 -
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2005-10-21 2012-04-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 215 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 479g (1.06 lb) 528g (1.16 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 40
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.9
DXO Low light score not tested 132
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $499