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Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released November 2007
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18
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Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-510 versus Panasonic FH5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and FH5 (16MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and FH5 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The E-510 was announced 4 years earlier than the FH5 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-510 matches up against the FH5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Panasonic FH5

 E-510 FH5 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus E-510

 FH5 E-510 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011November 2007More modern by 37 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Panasonic FH5

 E-510 FH5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-510 has external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH5 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-510 versus Panasonic FH5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-510 vs the FH5.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-510 and FH5 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The pic below may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and FH5.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-510 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FH5 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged E-510 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-510
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH5
56
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
fixed screen
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition (121 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Sports photography camera
52
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FH5 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition (121 grams)
includes focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
low MP (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-510
Vlogging with Panasonic FH5
9
no video
33
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus E-510Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-510 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also referred to as EVOLT E-510 Lumix DMC-FS18
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2007-11-23 2011-01-05
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
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 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 grams (1.08 pounds) 121 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 442 not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $550 $169