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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Released December 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic LX3
  • New Model is Panasonic LX7
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LX5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and LX5 (1/1.63") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 II was revealed 4 years later than the LX5 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 II scores versus the LX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic LX5

 E-M1 II LX5 
ReleasedSeptember 2016December 2011More recent by 58 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 LX5 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LX5

 E-M1 II LX5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Panasonic LX5 has proportions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II versus the LX5.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and LX5 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and LX5.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will offer you extra detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography highlights
75
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
41
focusing manually
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Street photography advice
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than average (574 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition in class (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic LX5
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery power (350 CIPA)
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography information
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography information
72
lighter than average (574g)
weather sealing
offers touch focus
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
low battery power (350 per charge)
59
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (271g)
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography highlights
76
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery power (350 shots)
52
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
lighter than average (574 grams)
29
pretty wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (271g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2016-09-19 2011-12-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 7.20 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MOV, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 271g (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 41
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 10.8
DXO Low light score 1312 132
Other
Battery life 350 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch cost $1,700 $294