Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic S5

Olympus E-600 vs. Panasonic Lumix S5: An Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing a camera can be a complex puzzle, especially when comparing models that span different eras and technology tiers like the Olympus E-600 and the Panasonic Lumix S5. On one hand, you have an entry-level DSLR from 2009 - the Olympus E-600 - an affordable, compact classic in the Four Thirds system. On the other, a modern full-frame mirrorless marvel released in 2020 - the Panasonic S5 - boasting contemporary pro specs for video and stills alike.

I’ve spent considerable time shooting with both cameras in different scenarios, testing their image quality, focusing, ergonomics, and more. In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll walk you through all the nuances, allowing you to make an informed selection based on your specific photography interests and budget. From sensor tech to autofocus speed, and landscape vistas to astrophotography, let’s explore what each camera brings to the table - and where one simply can’t keep up with the other.

Getting Hands-On: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

The first thing you notice when pulling these cameras out of their bags is, unsurprisingly, their physical difference. The Olympus E-600 is a compact DSLR, designed to be approachable with a light form factor, weighing in at 515g and measuring 130x94x60mm. The Panasonic S5, by comparison, offers a more robust build at 714g and larger dimensions of 133x97x82mm, typical of a full-frame mirrorless that offers weather sealing and professional-level controls.

Ergonomically, the Panasonic S5 feels much more substantial in the hand - with a deeper grip and sensible button layout, suited to longer shoots. The E-600’s smaller size and lighter weight benefit portability and casual usage but can sometimes feel less balanced, especially with heavier lenses. If you prioritize discreetness or traveling light, that smaller body might appeal - but for robustness and comfort, especially with larger glass, the S5 clearly has the upper hand.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive or Clunky?

Controls and handling can significantly affect your shooting flow, and here’s where these cameras reveal a stark contrast shaped by a decade of design evolution.

The E-600 sports a traditional DSLR control scheme with dedicated dials for exposure modes, shutter speed, and aperture priority - all sensible for beginners. Yet, it lacks illuminated buttons or an integrated touchscreen. Its articulating 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD is functional but limited - the resolution of 230k dots feels dated by today’s standards.

The Panasonic S5 offers a 3.0-inch fully articulating touchscreen with a crisp 1840k-dot resolution, elevating live view shooting, menu navigation, and focus point selection. Notably, it replaces the optical viewfinder with a high-resolution electronic EVF (2360k dots, 100% coverage), which I found versatile for previewing exposure and focus with instant feedback. The buttons, while not illuminated, are well-placed, and the customizability suits advanced users well.

For those who appreciate control precision and a modern interface, the S5 offers a smoother, more engaging experience. The E-600 remains a nostalgic, simpler choice but doesn’t keep pace here.

Sensor Secrets: Image Quality and Resolution

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor - arguably the most crucial component defining quality and creative capability.

The Olympus E-600 employs a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm. For its time, this sensor delivered respectable image quality with decent dynamic range (~10.3 EV), color depth, and a maximum native ISO of 3200. Its anti-aliasing filter helps reduce moiré but at the potential cost of crispness. The sensor’s smaller size naturally generates more noise at higher ISOs and limits shallow depth-of-field control.

On the other hand, the Panasonic S5 integrates a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6x23.8mm) without an anti-aliasing filter, harnessing larger pixel sites for superior low-light sensitivity. This translates into remarkable high ISO performance (native up to 51200, expandable to 204800), broader dynamic range, and finer detail retention. The S5’s sensor excels in color depth and tonality, excellent for portrait skin tones and landscape gradations alike.

In my side-by-side testing, the S5 reliably produced cleaner images at ISO 3200 and beyond, with noticeably richer textures and finer nuances in shadows. The E-600 still holds charm in bright conditions, but you’ll find it struggling with noise in dim environments.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

No matter how good a sensor is, a camera’s autofocus can make or break photographic success - especially in fast-paced genres like wildlife or sports.

The Olympus E-600’s autofocus system uses a 7-point phase-detection module supplemented by contrast detection in live view. While adequate for casual shooting, it lacks face or eye detection and doesn’t track moving subjects effectively. The system gets overwhelmed in low contrast or low light, requiring patience. Continuous AF shooting tops out at a modest 4 fps - decent for snapshots, but limited for action.

The Panasonic S5 is equipped with 225 focus points utilizing contrast-detection autofocus optimized for speed and precision, alongside face and eye detection. Notably, it offers continuous autofocus tracking designed to maintain subject lock in video and stills, a tremendous advantage for wildlife and sports photography. Burst shooting reaches 7 fps, doubling the E-600’s speed, enabling sharper sequences during rapid motion.

In practical use, the S5’s AF consistently nailed focus on unpredictable subjects, even in low light or complex backgrounds. The Olympus is best kept to more static scenes or controlled environments.

Versatility in Different Photography Genres

How do these cameras stack up across the variety of photographic disciplines? Let’s break it down:

Portraiture

Portraits demand accurate skin tone reproduction, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye detection. The Olympus E-600’s Four Thirds sensor restricts shallow depth of field, somewhat flattening backgrounds even at wide apertures. It offers face detection, but no eye detection, so sharp focus on irises is less assured.

The Panasonic S5, with its full-frame sensor, more effective in creating creamy background separation, truly shines here. Its eye detection autofocus nails critical focus with high accuracy and speed. Color rendering is typically warm and natural, essential for flattering skin tones. For studio or on-location portraitists, the S5 is the clear winner.

Landscape Photography

Landscape aficionados prioritize resolution, dynamic range, and environmental durability.

Thanks to its 24MP resolution and excellent 14-bit RAW files, the Panasonic S5 captures immense detail and preserves highlights and shadows elegantly. It also offers weather sealing, making it a trusted companion in damp, dusty, or windy conditions. The E-600 provides decent latitude for its vintage sensor, but its 12MP resolution may feel limiting for large prints, and it lacks environmental protection.

For serious landscapes, especially if you venture into unpredictable weather, the S5’s larger sensor area and rugged build offer a noticeable advantage.

Wildlife and Sports

Here, autofocus system quality and burst rate dominate.

As noted, the Olympus E-600’s AF tracking and speed are sufficient for casual bird or pet photography but not ideal for fast-moving wildlife or athletes. Its 4 fps burst rate can miss critical moments. The Panasonic S5’s advanced AF with continuous tracking and 7 fps burst greatly improve capture rates of elusive, dynamic subjects. Additionally, the full frame allows pairing with professional telephotos for optimum reach.

Street Photography

A compact, stealthy camera can be gold for street shooters.

The Olympus E-600’s small DSLR body is relatively discreet, though it carries typical DSLR bulk. The articulated screen helps for shooting from unconventional angles, and its slower AF can be managed in practice. The S5, though larger and heavier, remains highly portable for a full-frame mirrorless. It offers silent electronic shutter modes (up to 1/8000s), crucial to not disturbing subjects, and superior low light performance.

If silent shooting and discretion top your list, the Panasonic S5 trumps due to silent shutter and higher ISO usability, but the Olympus gains points for its smaller size if noise isn’t a concern.

Macro Photography

Precision and stabilization matter here.

Neither camera offers built-in lens stabilization on its own, but both rely heavily on lens IS. The Olympus E-600 includes sensor-based stabilization - always a bonus for handheld macro work. The Panasonic S5 features 5-axis sensor stabilization, highly effective with adapted lenses or primes, letting you shoot sharp handheld macros even at slower shutter speeds.

Additionally, the S5 supports focus bracketing and stacking - a boon for macro enthusiasts seeking greater depth of field through computational layering. The E-600 does not offer these features. Hence, the S5 commands a strong lead for macro precision and workflow.

Night and Astrophotography

Here, sensor size, noise control, and long exposure options are key.

The Four Thirds sensor in the E-600 shows significant noise at high ISO, limiting astrophotography potential without extensive exposure stacking or post-processing. The S5’s full-frame sensor and high native ISO performance allow cleaner starfield captures with less noise at fast shutter speeds. Its electronic shutter supports silent exposures, and custom exposure modes enable longer shutter times, making it suitable for nightscapes and astro sessions.

The E-600 is okay for beginners dabbling in night scenes but won’t satisfy dedicated astro shooters.

Video: A David vs. Goliath Story

Video capability is arguably the biggest differentiator here.

The Olympus E-600 predates video recording altogether - there’s no video mode or microphone input. That limits its appeal drastically for today’s hybrid shooters or content creators.

Conversely, the Panasonic S5 is a powerhouse video performer: 4K UHD at 60p with 10-bit internal recording, H.264/H.265 codec support, advanced color profiles, in-body 5-axis image stabilization, and microphone/headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring. It also supports 4K/6K photo modes - a boon for capturing fast action as stills from video.

If video is part of your creative workflow, the Lumix S5 is undoubtedly the camera to pick.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Reliability

The Panasonic S5 impresses with active weather sealing, keeping dust and light moisture out - a critical feature for field professionals or outdoor enthusiasts. The Olympus E-600, being an older model, lacks any form of environmental sealing.

Build quality aligns accordingly: the S5 uses magnesium alloy chassis components paired with high-grade plastics, balancing durability and weight. The E-600’s body, though compact, feels more consumer-grade, with a mostly plastic shell and limited ruggedness.

For those shooting in challenging conditions or needing consistent long-term reliability, the newer S5 is the safer bet.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount introduced a versatile lens lineup from both Olympus and Panasonic - with a broad selection of compact primes, zooms, and fast apertures designed for compactness and affordability. This 2.1x crop factor system makes telephoto reach easier on the budget but sacrifices some shallow DOF potential.

The Panasonic S5’s Leica L-mount participating alliance opens a window to an ever-expanding range of full-frame lenses from Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma. Though these lenses are generally bigger and more expensive, the image quality and aperture choices are superior. Additionally, adapters exist to mount numerous legacy lenses with varying degrees of AF support.

For beginners or those on a tight budget, the extensive MFT lens range may be appealing, but stepping up to full-frame also means stepping up in lens investment.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus E-600 boasts an impressive claimed 500 shots per charge, using the proprietary BLS-1 battery. Its battery longevity allows for a full day of casual shooting without worry.

The Panasonic S5, on the other hand, rates at around 440 shots per charge with its modern lithium-ion pack. Not quite as high but competitive given the larger sensor, EVF usage, and touchscreen active mode. The S5 supports USB charging/powering, a crucial advantage on travel or extended shoots.

Storage-wise, the E-600 uses CompactFlash or xD cards - somewhat obsolete formats today - while the S5 takes dual SD cards, facilitating backup recording and faster workflows.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The Olympus E-600 does not feature wireless connectivity. No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS are present, meaning data transfer and remote control are limited to USB cable use.

Conversely, the Panasonic S5 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling wireless image transfer, remote camera control via smartphone apps, and firmware updates over the air. While it lacks onboard GPS, the wireless suite dramatically improves workflow flexibility and modern convenience.

Price and Value: A Generational Gap

At the time of this writing, the Olympus E-600 is typically found used or refurbished at a very modest cost. The Panasonic S5 retails at around $2,000 body-only. This price difference embodies their different market intentions: the E-600 aimed at entry-level photographers on a budget, the S5 created for professionals and enthusiasts willing to invest in top-tier quality and versatility.

Therefore, your choice must weigh feature requirements and budget constraints. If you want a learning platform or casual shooter at entry cost, the Olympus lets you enter the DSLR world affordably. If your aspirations include professional-level image quality, video, and modern connectivity, the Panasonic S5 delivers compelling value for its price.

Real-World Image Gallery and Performance Scores

To give you concrete evidence of these cameras’ outputs, I compiled sample images under various lighting and genre conditions.

Olympus E 600 screen back Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back

Beyond visuals, here are their overall performance ratings based on my hands-on testing and DXOMark data (where available):

Genre-specific breakdowns help pinpoint which camera excels where:

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-600?

• Beginners just starting out and want an affordable DSLR experience.
• Casual photographers with limited budget who prioritize portability and ease of use.
• Those who favor traditional DSLR optical viewfinder experience.
• Collectors or hobbyists interested in older tech for experimentation.
• Photographers shooting in bright, controlled environments where ISO sensitivity is less critical.

Who Should Pick the Panasonic Lumix S5?

• Enthusiasts or professionals desiring a full-frame mirrorless camera.
• Hybrid shooters balancing high-resolution stills with advanced 4K video.
• Portrait, wildlife, sports, and landscape photographers needing excellent AF, dynamic range, and durability.
• Creators demanding modern connectivity, weather-sealing, and dual card slots.
• Macro and astrophotography enthusiasts benefiting from stabilization and stacking features.

Final Thoughts: A Leap Across Generations

While the Olympus E-600 offers charm, compactness, and a straightforward interface, its technology limits it noticeably in today’s standards - particularly sensor size, autofocus capabilities, video functions, and connectivity.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 represents a generational leap forward - packing full-frame image quality, versatile video prowess, robust autofocus, and thoughtful ergonomics into an accessible pro mirrorless form.

If budget is your primary constraint, the E-600 delivers respectable performance for simple applications. But if you seek a future-proof performer that can scale with your ambitions - across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, night scenes, and beyond - the Panasonic S5 is an investment well worth considering.

To summarize: the Olympus E-600 is a fine educational tool and starter camera that’s tough to beat on cost and portability; however, the Panasonic Lumix S5 is the clear winner for those needing professional-grade performance across almost every photographic discipline in the modern era.

Happy shooting - and as always, keep testing gear to find the perfect match for your vision!

If you want to dive deeper into any specific discipline or feature comparison, drop me a line - I’ve got extensive sample galleries and workflow reviews for both of these cameras.