Olympus FE-5010 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to small sensor compact cameras, decisions can be tricky. These cameras appeal to those seeking simplicity, portability, and decent image quality without breaking the bank. Today, I'll be comparing two cameras that often surface in budget-conscious discussions: the Olympus FE-5010 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. Both were released a few years ago yet still find relevance among users who prefer small form factors paired with useful shooting options.

I've spent substantial time testing each in various conditions and photography genres. This thorough comparison highlights their strengths, weaknesses, and practical usability to help you decide which earns your attention - and your hard-earned money.

A Tale of Two Eras: Body and Ergonomics

At first glance, these cameras feel like siblings separated by a generation. The Olympus FE-5010, announced in early 2009, is a tiny, light compact with solid portability. Weighing just 130 grams and measuring 96 x 57 x 21 mm, it won’t burden a shirt pocket or crossbody bag. The Panasonic SZ7, while only marginally larger and heavier (133 grams, 99 x 59 x 21 mm), offers a more polished modern appeal.

Both cameras follow classic compact camera styling, but their control ergonomics differ. Neither sports a viewfinder; both rely solely on rear LCDs for composition and review, typical for their class.

On the top deck, the Olympus is minimalist - power and shutter buttons with limited direct control options. The Panasonic upgrades this with a few more ergonomics trade-offs for photographers wanting quicker access to modes and zoom controls. Notably, the SZ7 provides a small but noticeable improvement in button spacing, reducing accidental presses during quick shooting sequences.

For travel or street photography, both are easily pocketable, but the FE-5010’s slightly smaller footprint may win for pure portability. Handling-wise during prolonged shoots, the SZ7 offers a more confident grip despite similar dimensions.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use 1/2.3" sensors measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, typical for compacts, but Olympus uses a 12MP CCD sensor, while Panasonic employs a 14MP CMOS sensor. This hardware difference significantly impacts imaging performance, as we’ll unpack.

From controlled tests shooting RAW (from Olympus aside - more on that later) and JPEGs, the Panasonic SZ7 consistently delivers sharper, cleaner images with better dynamic range and low-light handling. The CMOS sensor's design benefits from reduced noise levels at higher ISOs - Panasonic can stretch up to ISO 6400, whereas Olympus caps at ISO 1600 with noticeable grain creeping in well before then.

Color rendition reveals subtle but noticeable distinctions: Olympus tends toward more muted tones, sometimes flat without much pop, while Panasonic’s color science feels warmer and slightly more vivid out of camera. The SZ7’s wider maximum aperture range (F3.1-5.9 vs Olympus F3.5-5.6) provides a fraction more flexibility at the wide end for shallow depth of field and better low-light capture.

In landscape and portrait scenarios, Panasonic’s higher resolution and sensor tech translate into more detail retention and smoother gradients - critical when shooting wide vistas or fine skin textures.

Screen and User Interface: Your Eye on the Scene

In-camera display quality is often underrated but essential for small compacts given the lack of viewfinders. Olympus features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution, while Panasonic offers a slightly larger 3-inch TFT screen at 460k dots.

The Panasonic screen delivers crisper previews, with better visibility in bright sunlight, aiding composition and image review. Olympus’s lower resolution and size can frustrate under challenging lighting, especially for critical focus checks.

Neither camera offers touchscreens or articulating displays, limiting flexibility in tricky angles or quick menu navigation. That said, basic menus are straightforward on both, with Panasonic edging slightly ahead due to its more responsive button layout.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Who Is Quicker on the Draw?

Autofocus performance is often a limiting factor in compact cameras. The Olympus FE-5010 relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus, supports only single-shot focusing, and lacks face detection or tracking features. It identifies focus points in the live view area but only with a single fixed point, leading to slower and sometimes hunting autofocus, particularly under low contrast or dim lighting.

The Panasonic SZ7, on the other hand, offers a more flexible AF system with 23 focus points, including face detection and continuous autofocus modes. It also supports AF tracking, allowing it to maintain focus on moving subjects in burst mode - helpful when trying to capture spontaneous action or kids playing.

Continuous shooting sets a major disparity: Panasonic’s 10fps burst mode outpaces Olympus, which does not list continuous shooting - making SZ7 more capable for dynamic photography.

In wildlife or sports scenarios where speed and focus precision matter, Panasonic is the clear winner for small sensor compacts, where Olympus feels more suited for casual, static subjects.

Lens Versatility: A Question of Reach and Speed

Neither camera allows lens changes; both have fixed zoom lenses but with differing focal length ranges.

• Olympus FE-5010: 36-180 mm equivalent (5x zoom), aperture F3.5 to F5.6
• Panasonic SZ7: 25-250 mm equivalent (10x zoom), aperture F3.1 to F5.9

Panasonic’s lens nearly doubles Olympus’s telephoto ability, widening photographic opportunities from wide-angle landscapes to moderate telephoto portraits or distant wildlife. The Olympus’s lens is somewhat slower at wide and telephoto ends, slightly limiting low light and shallow depth-of-field possibilities.

For macro endeavors, Olympus offers focusing down to 3cm, marginally closer than Panasonic’s 4cm minimum. Both deliver respectable close-up results, but without specialized enhancements like focus stacking or dedicated macro modes.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Both cameras include image stabilization, essential due to their small sensor sizes and longer telephoto reaches.

• Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization (mechanical correction within the camera)
• Panasonic relies on optical stabilization (lens-based correction)

In practical use, Panasonic’s optical stabilization shows marginally better performance, particularly at extreme telephoto lengths where Olympus’s sensor-shift falls a bit short. This means Panasonic delivers steadier handheld shots in dim light or at full zoom - a nice advantage for casual handheld wildlife or travel shots without a tripod.

Video Functionality: Capturing Motion

Here, Panasonic CES the competition. Olympus FE-5010 caps video at poor 640x480 VGA resolution at 30fps, using Motion JPEG - a dated codec limiting quality and editing flexibility.

Panasonic SZ7 supports full HD 1080p video at 60fps and 30fps, as well as 720p HD at similar frame rates, encoded in widely accepted MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. This enhances compatibility with editing software and allows smoother, crisper video capture.

Neither camera offers external microphone input, so audio capture remains basic, and neither supports 4K or advanced video features. Still, for casual video recording, Panasonic is leagues ahead.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras are compact compacts, designed primarily for casual use.

• Olympus FE-5010 touts some environmental sealing, a rare feature in this segment, which can be reassuring against light splashes or dust - advantageous for outdoor landscape or travel photography in uncertain conditions.
• Panasonic SZ7 lacks any weather or dust sealing.

Neither camera advertises ruggedness like shocks or freeze-proof elements, so neither is meant for the harshest adventure photography.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is an area where Panasonic notably excels. The SZ7’s battery rating of 220 shots per charge outperforms Olympus’s less clearly stated life. In real-world testing, the SZ7 lasted longer per charge, critical for day trips or extended outings without access to charging.

Storage wise:

• Olympus uses xD-Picture Cards and microSD (with adapter)
• Panasonic supports the more standard, widely available SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards

Considering availability, capacity, and future-proofing, Panasonic’s SD card compatibility is more practical than Olympus’s xD format, now obsolete.

Connectivity: Modern vs. Minimalist

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC. Panasonic edges slightly ahead by providing an HDMI output, allowing connection to external displays for instant sharing or professional review. Olympus FE-5010 offers only USB 2.0 port, limiting immediate sharing options in today’s connected world.

Image Samples: Real-World Shootout

To get a better feel, I took these cameras side by side across several scenarios - portraits, landscapes, street, and macro. The Panasonic SZ7 consistently rendered images with sharper detail, better color vibrancy, and improved dynamic range. Olympus FE-5010 photos are softer with lower contrast but exhibit less color saturation, which may appeal to those wanting more muted, film-like rendering.

Olympus FE 5010 front Olympus FE 5010 screen back Panasonic SZ7 front Panasonic SZ7 screen back

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

Here’s a practical look at how each camera scored overall and within specific photography disciplines.

• Portraits: Panasonic's sharper images, face detection AF, and higher resolution give it an edge in capturing skin tones and eyes.
• Landscape: Slightly higher resolution and dynamic range again favor Panasonic - though Olympus’s decent sealing can protect your gear outdoors.
• Wildlife & Sports: Panasonic’s continuous AF, tracking, and faster burst shooting make it far more suitable here.
• Street & Travel: Both are discreet and portable, but Olympus’s smaller size and environmental sealing help in inclement weather. Panasonic offers more flexibility with zoom and battery.
• Macro & Night Photography: Both perform similarly in macro close ups, but Panasonic’s higher ISO capability makes it easier to shoot in low light or night scenes.
• Video: Panasonic wins decisively with full HD resolutions.
• Professional Use: Neither camera caters to pro workflows or RAW support, limiting their appeal beyond casual or entry-level enthusiasts.

Wrapping Up: Which Small Sensor Compact Fits You?

Buying a camera in this segment involves balancing size, image quality, and feature set as compromises are inevitable. Both cameras target casual users but differ in appeal and capabilities.

Choose the Olympus FE-5010 if:

• You prioritize ultra-compact, lightweight design for pure portability.
• You shoot mostly in well-lit environments with static subjects.
• You value environmental sealing for occasional outdoor use.
• Your budget is tight; the FE-5010 frequently costs less.

Opt for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 if:

• You want improved overall image quality and higher resolution.
• You require better autofocus performance, continuous shooting, and face detection.
• HD video recording is important to your workflows.
• You appreciate longer battery life and versatile zoom range.
• You prefer modern storage compatibility and additional connectivity options.

Final Thoughts: A Modest Pair in a Big Field

Neither the Olympus FE-5010 nor Panasonic SZ7 revolutionizes small sensor compact cameras, but both reliably fulfill their core mission: providing an easy, quick grab-and-shoot experience without fuss. Panasonic’s SZ7 pushes more features into a similarly sized package, luring users who want flexibility and mildly advanced performance. Meanwhile, Olympus’s FE-5010 charms minimalists with its compactness and usable image stabilization.

Although today's smartphone cameras often outperform these compacts in sheer versatility and image quality, dedicated cameras like these still hold value for focused use cases - especially where zoom or dedicated shooting controls matter.

For the budget enthusiast seeking simplicity with a dash of professionalism, the Panasonic SZ7 offers a more well-rounded package if you tolerate its slightly larger footprint. However, if packing light is your mantra and casual snapshots suffice, don't overlook the Olympus FE-5010’s clean, weather-sealed design, which stands up surprisingly well.

Whichever camera fits your hand and shooting style, test it yourself whenever possible - sometimes the feel and intuitive logics matter just as much as pixels on paper.

About the Author

With over 15 years of hands-on experience reviewing and using digital cameras, I’ve photographed everything from competitive sports events to intimate portrait sessions and wild landscapes. My approach centers on objective performance testing combined with real-world usability insights to empower photographers at every level. I hope this article guides your next purchase toward a tool that excites you to capture the world your way.

Happy shooting!