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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2010
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FE-4030 was announced 3 years earlier than the SZ5 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FE-4030 grades against the SZ5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FE-4030 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus FE-4030

 SZ5 FE-4030 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2010Newer by 30 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic SZ5

 FE-4030 SZ5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-4030 has outer dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

See the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FE-4030 vs the SZ5.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FE-4030 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-4030 and SZ5.

As you can see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you will want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The more aged FE-4030 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus FE-4030
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-4030
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
70
lighter than average in class (136g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
32
pretty wide (26mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4030
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
25
pretty wide (26mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
32
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus FE-4030Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-4030 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-07 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.80 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 146 gr (0.32 lb) 136 gr (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $130 $195