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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Also referred to as X-935
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Released July 2012
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus FE-5020 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FE-5020 was revealed 4 years earlier than the SZ5 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the FE-5020 grades against the SZ5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FE-5020 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus FE-5020

 SZ5 FE-5020 
ReleasedJuly 2012July 2009Newer by 36 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic SZ5

 FE-5020 SZ5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus FE-5020 offers outer dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-5020 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FE-5020 against the SZ5.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FE-5020 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-5020 and SZ5.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ5 to offer greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged FE-5020 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
60
weather sealing
lighter than competition (137 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography advice
24
weather sealing
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition (137 grams)
weather sealing
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
70
lighter than competition (136g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus FE-5020
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
31
relatively wide (24mm)
weather sealing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
28
relatively wide (24mm)
lighter than competition (137g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic port
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus FE-5020Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus FE-5020 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Also Known as X-935 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-07-22 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 137g (0.30 lbs) 136g (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $160 $195