Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20: A Practical Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to compact cameras, the market has long been a playground for versatile point-and-shoots tailored for casual shooting, travel, and occasional spur-of-the-moment moments. Today, I’m digging deep into two intriguing options from notable brands: the Olympus FE-5020 (also known as the X-935) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 (aka Lumix DMC-FT20). Although both emerged in the compact category, they cater to subtly different user needs - one leans towards straightforward simplicity, while the other nudges you towards adventurous, rugged shooting with weather sealing and waterproofing.

Having tested thousands of compacts and mid-range cameras throughout my career, I’ll take you through their hands-on real-world performance, technical underpinnings, and practical suitability across various photography styles, from portraits to wildlife to travel. Plus, I’ll highlight those experiential differences that only emerge through long-term use - the little things that manual specs don’t quite capture.

Let’s start by unboxing their physical presence.

Size, Build, and Handling: Pocketable or Palmable?

Right out of the gate, handling defines your shooting pleasure, especially with small sensor compacts where ergonomics can vary incredibly. The Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic TS20 both claim compactness but differ a bit in execution - and that translates to comfort and stability.

The Olympus measures roughly 93 x 56 x 25 mm and weighs 137 grams, while the Panasonic is a tad larger at 101 x 58 x 19 mm, weighing in at 142 grams. The Olympus’s more boxy shape fits neatly in the hand, but the Panasonic feels a little more solid with its pronounced rubberized grip area, which is likely due to its rugged, waterproof body. The slightly thinner Panasonic also slips into jacket pockets easier, but not by much.

Neither comes with a viewfinder, so you’ll rely entirely on the LCD, which we’ll get to shortly. Both cameras maintain a decent balance between pocketability and a shape that doesn’t feel too fragile or fiddly during shooting - important for errant street photography or casual family outings.

The Panasonic’s environmental sealing (waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof) really stands out here, while the Olympus has basic environmental sealing but no waterproofing or rugged certifications. If you envision shooting near water, snow, or dusty environments, that Panasonic durability is a compelling factor.

Next, let’s peek at their control layouts and top-panel options.

Control Surfaces and Operation: Keeping It Simple vs. Slightly More Versatile

With compacts, user interface design can be a make-or-break issue; no one wants to fight a tiny button cluster while trying to catch fleeting moments.

Both cameras opt for fixed lenses with no manual focus ring or advanced exposure modes. Olympus FE-5020 keeps it ultra-simple with limited physical controls - essentially point-and-shoot mode with autofocus and flash toggles. No aperture priority or shutter priority modes here, just straightforward auto exposure.

The Panasonic TS20 ups the ante by offering a few more controls, including dedicated flash modes (such as Slow Syncro) and custom white balance settings - a nice touch when you want color accuracy in tricky lighting. Plus, the TS20 has a built-in optical image stabilization system (absent in the Olympus), which is helpful given the longer zoom reach.

Neither camera supports manual focus, which is fully expected for this category - but the Panasonic does have a 23-point contrast-detection autofocus system with continuous AF and tracking, whereas the Olympus relies on a very basic single AF mode with no tracking.

If you prefer a fuss-free snapshot experience, you might appreciate the Olympus’s more decluttered button set, but if you want some manual white balance tweaking and slightly enhanced autofocus control, Panasonic’s offering feels more flexible.

Sensor and Image Quality: 12 vs. 16 Megapixels on Similar Sensors

The core image quality engine boils down to sensor and processor combination. Both cameras employ a 1/2.3” CCD sensor, a popular size in compact cameras that balances decent resolution with cost and battery efficiency.

The Olympus FE-5020 boasts a 12 MP resolution, while the Panasonic TS20 ups this to 16 MP. On paper, that’s a noticeable difference, but does it translate into better image quality? Not entirely - higher megapixels on the same sensor size can result in more noise, especially in lower light.

In practical shooting, I found the Panasonic’s higher resolution yielded slightly more detailed crops for daylight shots, but it was during dimmer conditions that the Olympus matched or surpassed the Panasonic, primarily because the Olympus caps ISO at 1600 (lower noise threshold), while Panasonic offers ISO up to 6400 - but with noisy results after ISO 800. Both cameras lack raw shooting support and rely solely on JPEGs, limiting post-processing flexibility - a common drawback here.

Dynamic range is fairly modest on both, typical for CCDs of this generation - expect some shadow clipping in contrasty scenes. Image colors lean toward neutral on the Olympus, slightly warmer and punchier on the Panasonic, likely due to their respective TruePic III and Panasonic processing engines.

Viewing and Composition: LCDs as Sole Visual Tools

In the absence of electronic viewfinders, relying on the rear screen quality is crucial.

Both cams use 2.7-inch fixed LCDs with 230k-dot resolution, which by today’s standards feels grainy and dim under direct sunlight. Panasonic employs a TFT LCD panel, resulting in better viewing angles and color reproduction compared to the Olympus’s basic fixed screen.

For street photography or outdoor adventures, this means you’ll likely struggle a bit composing under intense light, especially on the Olympus. Neither display supports touch input or articulates for creativity at odd angles, which limits versatility.

Real-world Photography Across Genres: One Size Does Not Fit All

To understand which camera suits your shoot style best, let's break down their performance across key photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Autofocus

Neither competitor is designed for professional portraiture, but travel or casual portraits are common use cases.

Given their fixed lenses - Olympus’s 24-120mm and Panasonic’s 25-100mm equivalents - both can frame portraits nicely, but neither sports fast apertures (Olympus F3.3-5.8 vs Panasonic F3.9-5.7), so shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh is limited.

Olympus lacks face detection autofocus, so the Panasonic’s contrast-detect AF with limited tracking edges it out, particularly useful for snapping moving subjects like kids or pets.

In terms of skin tones, Olympus’s neutral color science is pleasantly natural, though occasionally flat in less controlled light, while Panasonic’s warmer hues may appeal to those who enjoy vibrant portraits straight out of camera - though you risk oversaturation.

Neither offers raw support or manual exposure modes, so fine-tuning skin texture or exposure post-capture is limited.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Detail, and Weather Resilience

Landscape photographers crave wide dynamic range, high resolution, and ruggedness.

Both cameras perform similarly in daylight, delivering decent detail thanks to their sensor sizes and resolutions. Panasonic’s slight edge in megapixels helps when cropping, and its wider selection of aspect ratios (1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9) supports creative framing.

However, neither camera has remarkable dynamic range, so early morning or dusk shots will show shadow clipping or highlight clipping if exposure isn’t managed carefully.

Where Panasonic shines for outdoor landscape work is environmental sealing - it’s waterproof (up to 7m), dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, meaning you can leave it on the beach or use it on snowy alpine hikes without worry. Olympus isn’t waterproof and lacks freezeproof or shockproof certification, so precautions are necessary.

If ruggedness is a priority alongside landscape photography, Panasonic’s TS20 is a clear choice.

Wildlife Photography: AF Speed, Reach, and Frame Rate

Wildlife photographers generally demand long telephoto reach, fast autofocus, and quick burst shooting.

Neither camera is ideal here - the Olympus’s 24-120mm lens is a respectable zoom, equivalent roughly to 24-120mm in full frame terms, which is decent reach for casual bird photography. The Panasonic tops out at about 25-100mm.

Autofocus on Panasonic is more advanced, featuring 23 AF points with continuous AF and tracking, which helps when your wild subjects move unpredictably, compared to Olympus’s single-point AF and no tracking or continuous focus - this can make Olympus frustrating for birds in flight.

Continuous shooting rates are modest or unavailable: Olympus does not specify continuous shooting; Panasonic offers just 1 fps continuous. That’s quite slow for fast action, so neither is a true wildlife specialist.

Still, for casual wildlife shots, Panasonic’s improved AF system offers a significant advantage.

Sports Photography: Tracking, Burst Rate, and Low Light Capacity

Sports photography demands lightning-fast AF, high burst rates, and good low-light ISO performance.

Neither camera fits this demanding profile. Low burst shooting (Panasonic’s 1 fps), no high-frame burst, and slow contrast-detect AF without phase detection mean action is better captured on higher-end cameras.

Panasonic’s better continuous AF helps a bit, but practically, both struggle with rapid sports action. Low-light sensitivity is limited - Olympus maxes out ISO 1600, Panasonic 6400, but image noise is very noticeable beyond ISO 400.

So, neither of these compacts are suited for serious sports, but in daylight and casual settings, Panasonic gives you more breathing room.

Street Photography: Discreetness, Portability, and Low Light

Street photographers prize compactness, fast AF, and discretion.

Here, both cameras are pocketable and lightweight with inconspicuous designs. But that tiny LED screen can be a hindrance for quick framing. Neither has a viewfinder, so you'll shoot mostly from the hip or carefully compose on the LCD.

Panasonic’s silent shutter mode is effectively absent, so both cameras emit shutter noise that might be intrusive during quiet street moments.

Low-light autofocus is more reliable on Panasonic, thanks to continuous AF and better multi-area coverage, which can help in dim cafés or evening street scenes.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Stabilization

Macro enthusiasts will appreciate how close a camera can focus.

Olympus FE-5020 delivers an impressive macro focus distance down to 1cm, ideal for capturing fine details of flowers, insects, or textures. The Panasonic tops out at 5cm, which may limit the magnification somewhat.

That optical image stabilization on Panasonic helps steady hands for macro, but Olympus’s lack of stabilization demands more caution or a tripod.

If you want to experiment with macro shooting casually, the Olympus offers a more dedicated macro range, but expect some compromise in image sharpness due to no stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO Performance and Exposure Tools

Neither camera is designed with astrophotography in mind, but let’s examine their night prowess.

In low light, Panasonic’s ISO goes as high as 6400; Olympus stops at ISO 1600. However, noise is a significant deterrent at highest ISOs on both.

Neither offers manual exposure modes, long shutter times beyond 4 seconds (Olympus) and 8 seconds (Panasonic), or bulb mode, so star trails or longer exposures are out of reach.

Neither has built-in intervalometer/timelapse recording, so astrophotography fans will need to look elsewhere.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Audio Features

Video buffs looking for HD will appreciate the Panasonic TS20’s 1280x720 30fps capability versus Olympus’s low-res 640x480 max.

Panasonic encodes in MPEG-4, Olympus uses Motion JPEG – the former offering better compression and file size optimization.

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone jacks, nor do they offer image stabilization during video (Panasonic’s stabilization benefits mainly stills).

Overall, these are entry-level video shooters, adequate for casual clips but no match for modern hybrid cameras.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery, and Connectivity

Here is where compact cameras are often judged harshly - does the camera keep up on the road?

Both models use proprietary battery systems without explicit battery life specs in the Olympus, while Panasonic claims about 250 shots per charge - a modest tally.

Storage-wise, Olympus relies on xD-Picture Cards or microSD, which are increasingly rare and inconvenient today; Panasonic supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, a much more common and flexible choice.

Neither offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, so wireless photo transfer and geotagging aren’t options.

Panasonic’s ruggedness and waterproofing make it more appealing to adventure travelers, while Olympus’s smaller size might suit those with minimalist packing needs - but beware of storage card availability.

Professional Use: File Flexibility, Reliability, and Workflow

Neither camera targets professional photographers - the absence of raw file support, no manual exposure modes, slow AF, and low burst rates make them unsuitable for demanding pro workflows.

No tethering, no advanced calibration options, and limited processing controls suggest these are strictly consumer-tier cameras.

Technical and Performance Ratings Summarized

Putting all these aspects into perspective, let's look at the overall industry-based performance ratings.

Panasonic edges out Olympus in most categories: autofocus, ISO range, video resolution, and ruggedness.

The Olympus impresses with ease of use, lighter weight, and 1cm macro focusing but falls short in almost every other metric.

For a genre-specific deep dive:

You can see that Panasonic is better for landscape (due to sealing), wildlife (better AF), and video, while Olympus is roughly equal for travel and macro.

Images Speak Louder: Sample Images Comparison

To wrap up, viewing actual images from both cameras side by side helps visualize these differences.

Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back Panasonic TS20 front Panasonic TS20 screen back

Notice how Panasonic images hold up with slightly richer saturation and better detail retention, especially in bright scenes, while Olympus images feel softer but more natural. High-ISO shots show Panasonic’s noise creeping in heavily above ISO 400, while Olympus maintains lower noise but limited ISO range.

The Verdict: Which Compact Suits You?

Both cameras reflect their respective eras and target buyers, but understanding what you want is key.

Choose Olympus FE-5020 if:

• You want a simple, lightweight compact with minimal learning curve.
• Macro photography at 1cm close-up matters.
• You shoot mostly in good light and prioritize natural color rendition.
• You prefer smaller physical dimensions for pocket carry.
• You don’t require rugged, waterproof features.
• Budget constraints keep you below the ~$160 mark.

Choose Panasonic Lumix TS20 if:

• You seek a tough, waterproof camera perfect for travel, beach, or adventure.
• You want a higher megapixel count and better video capabilities.
• Continuous autofocus and mild tracking is important.
• You appreciate optical image stabilization.
• You want more control over white balance and flash modes.
• You’re okay with slightly larger size and slightly heavier weight.
• You can stretch closer to $180 for a more versatile compact.

Final Thoughts: Compact Cameras in an Era of Smartphones

Today, with smartphones boasting excellent sensors and computational photography, these cameras occupy a niche for users who desire ruggedness, optical zoom, and simple operation.

For casual snapshotting without fuss - and a splash of macro creativity - the Olympus FE-5020 still holds charm as a basic compact. But if you’re adventuring outdoors and want durability plus extra features, the Panasonic TS20 stands out.

Either way, know the limitations: lack of manual controls, limited low light performance, and no raw shooting might prompt serious hobbyists to consider higher-tier compacts or mirrorless systems. But for everyday users wanting easy-to-use cameras with decent image quality, this Olympus vs Panasonic comparison reveals clear trade-offs worth pondering.

I hope this guide helps you weigh these two cameras’ strengths and weaknesses against your shooting style and budget. If you want hands-on reflexes from me on either model, just say the word - I love getting into detail with these interesting cameras. Safe shooting!