Olympus FE-45 vs Sony HX5

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus FE-45 versus Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FE-45 (10MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is fairly similar but the FE-45 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The FE-45 was launched 17 months before the HX5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FE-45 matches up against the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus FE-45 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus FE-45 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-45 comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-45 versus Sony HX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the FE-45 against the HX5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-45 and HX5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Generally, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The image here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-45 and HX5.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The FE-45 offers the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field easier. The more aged FE-45 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.