Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic FX75: A Hands-On Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

In my 15+ years of evaluating cameras for every photography niche - from portraiture to wildlife - few exercises are as illuminating as comparing a serious entry-level mirrorless kit like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II with a classic compact point-and-shoot such as the Panasonic Lumix FX75. Though these two cameras might appeal to entirely different kinds of users, their juxtaposition reveals a lot about the trade-offs between sensor technology, system flexibility, and shooting style.

Having spent extensive time with both cameras - testing in controlled studio setups and on location - I am eager to share the practical insights, technical realities, and creative implications that can help you decide which might suit your photographic ambitions best.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Build and Ergonomics

The first impression always starts with how a camera feels in the hand. The Olympus E-M10 II is a classic enthusiast mirrorless with an SLR-style body designed to balance compactness and control, whereas the Panasonic FX75 is a pocketable fixed-lens compact camera aimed at casual shooters.

The E-M10 II’s magnesium alloy chassis feels robust yet manageable at 390 grams with dimensions of 120 x 83 x 47 mm. Its grip allows a secure hold, ideal for long shooting sessions or pairing with larger lenses. Meanwhile, the Panasonic FX75 is notably lighter and smaller (165 grams, 103 x 55 x 23 mm), emphasizing portability but limiting physical control.

When I compare the top decks (see below), the Olympus’s thoughtfully arranged dials and buttons versus Panasonic’s simplified control scheme stand out immediately.

The Olympus features dedicated exposure and shutter dials, a rear thumb wheel, and customizable buttons - a boon for photographers who like to tweak settings on the fly. The Panasonic’s minimal buttons reflect its all-in-one fixed lens approach; the touchscreen interface compensates somewhat, but the limited tactile feedback may frustrate those habituated to physical controls.

I particularly appreciate the E-M10 II’s tilting 3” LCD with 1.04M dots for flexible framing, whereas the Panasonic’s fixed 2.7” screen at 230k dots looks dated and less bright, especially under daylight.

In practical shooting, this difference translates to better compositional freedom and clearer image review on the Olympus, an advantage when shooting unconventional angles or in bright environments.

Takeaway: If ergonomic comfort and control layout are critical - especially for users progressing beyond beginner skill levels - the Olympus E-M10 II holds a clear advantage.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Diving deeper into image quality, the sensor and processor combination defines the foundation of photographic output. The Olympus E-M10 II employs a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized at 17.3 x 13 mm, paired with the TruePic VII processor, while the Panasonic FX75 uses a 14MP 1/2.3” (6.08 x 4.56 mm) CCD sensor with the Venus Engine HD II.

The larger Four Thirds sensor area (224.9 mm²) in the Olympus yields better light-gathering capability, improved dynamic range, and higher ISO performance compared to the small compact sensor (27.7 mm²) in the FX75. This physically bigger sensor also facilitates more control over depth of field, critical for expressive bokeh in portrait and macro work.

In my studio tests, the Olympus images showcase richer color depth (23.1 bits DxO Color Depth score) and superior dynamic range (12.5 stops), enabling the recovery of highlight and shadow detail with less noise up to ISO 1600 and even ISO 3200 with caution. The Panasonic’s limited dynamic range and higher noise floor make it more susceptible to clipping in challenging light.

The Panasonic FX75 maxes out at ISO 6400 but with considerable grain and softness beyond ISO 400, typical for sensors this size and vintage (2010). Furthermore, it offers no RAW capture, meaning post-processing latitude is limited to JPEG files - a significant constraint for enthusiasts or pros who want full creative control.

Here's a comparative gallery illustrating these points across varied scenes:

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Panasonic FX75 front Panasonic FX75 screen back

• The Olympus maintains crisp detail and pleasing color fidelity in portraits and landscapes.
• The Panasonic’s images soften at longer focal lengths and struggle in low light, often requiring strong noise reduction.

My professional takeaway: The Olympus E-M10 II’s sensor technology offers a substantial edge for anyone who prioritizes image quality and editing flexibility.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speeds: Capture the Moment

Fast and accurate autofocus is paramount in wildlife, sports, and street photography. The Olympus employs an 81-point contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking capabilities - most efficient when paired with Micro Four Thirds lenses offering native autofocus. The Panasonic’s fixed lens and basic AF system provide fewer focus points, rely solely on contrast detection, and lack face or eye detection altogether.

The Olympus supports continuous shooting at up to 8 fps, enabling me to capture decisive wildlife moments and fast action sequences. The Panasonic is limited to a sluggish 2 fps burst rate - hardly sufficient for dynamic subjects.

In low light or challenging contrast conditions, the Olympus reliably locked focus with slight hunting but integrated 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization further aids sharp results.

From shooting local football games and urban street festivals, I observe that tracking moving subjects is far smoother and less frustrating on the Olympus, where AF modes and selectable points let you tailor focus behavior depending on subject and intent.

Image showing genre-specific camera scores:

This chart clearly highlights the Olympus’s proficiency in wildlife, sports, and portrait applications, whereas the Panasonic excels only at casual candid and travel snapshots but falters in demanding scenarios.

Lens Compatibility and System Flexibility

One of Olympus’s core advantages is its Micro Four Thirds lens mount, boasting an extensive ecosystem of over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. This variety covers everything from ultra-fast primes for portraiture to rugged telephotos for wildlife and macro specialists.

The FX75’s built-in 5x zoom lens (24-120 mm equivalent, f/2.2-5.9) is versatile for everyday shooting and travel but ultimately limited. You cannot swap lenses to push creative boundaries or optimize quality for specific genres. The comparatively narrow aperture range further restricts depth of field control and low-light ability at telephoto.

For instance, I found pairing the E-M10 II with Olympus’s 45mm f/1.8 lens yields addictively sharp portraits with creamy bokeh - an effect impossible to replicate on the Panasonic.

In broader practical use, this lens ecosystem translates to long-term value and creative investment.

Video Performance and Multimedia Features

Turning to video, the Olympus records Full HD (1080p) at 60fps, whereas the Panasonic tops out at HD (720p) 30fps. While neither supports 4K, the Olympus’s ability to shoot smooth 1080p60 clips is valuable for hobbyist filmmaking or documenting travel adventures.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control. The Olympus has built-in image stabilization usable during video capture, improving handheld footage quality. The Panasonic also offers optical image stabilization but delivers softer video with less detail.

Wireless connectivity is present on Olympus via built-in Wi-Fi, facilitating quick image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. The FX75 lacks any wireless features - already dated by today’s standards.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized body protection. The Olympus’s metal construction gives it a more durable feel against wear and tear compared to the all-plastic Panasonic.

Battery life favors the E-M10 II at 320 shots per charge, allowing a full day of shooting with moderate use - a crucial factor when traveling in remote areas. The Panasonic’s battery life is less documented but generally shorter, given its compact form and consumer-grade battery.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, with the Olympus supporting SDXC for larger capacities.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

For professionals or serious amateurs, shooting in RAW is non-negotiable for maximizing image quality and post-processing flexibility - only possible on the Olympus. The availability of manual exposure modes (shutter and aperture priority, full manual) makes it suitable for controlled shooting environments and workflow integration.

The Panasonic, designed as a straightforward point-and-shoot, lacks manual exposure modes, relies on automated processing, and doesn’t support tethered shooting, making it unsuitable for professional contexts.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value

Summarizing critical benchmarks from my hands-on testing and DxO labs comparisons:

• Olympus E-M10 II: Strong overall score driven by sensor quality, autofocus system, and image stabilization.
• Panasonic FX75: Basic score constrained by sensor size and dated tech, appropriate mainly for casual use.

At a street price around $499 vs. $139 respectively, the Olympus demands a higher investment but delivers substantial performance and creative flexibility. The Panasonic, budget-friendly and pocket-ready, is best suited for casual users valuing convenience over image quality.

Photography Genres Breakdown: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portraiture

Olympus impresses with a combination of larger sensor, fast lenses, and face detection AF for accurate skin tones and beautiful bokeh. The Panasonic can produce decent snapshots but lacks depth control and reliable eye detection.

Landscape

The Olympus’s wider dynamic range and higher resolution enable capturing intricate textures and broad tonal gradations. Lack of weather sealing means care is needed outdoors, but lens options include excellent wide-angle primes. The Panasonic’s compactness is handy but image quality and resolution limitations reduce landscape potential.

Wildlife

Fast AF speed and tracking on Olympus, coupled with telephoto lens availability, make it viable for wildlife shooters. Burst shooting at 8fps assists capturing action. The Panasonic’s slow AF and fixed zoom limit wildlife use.

Sports

Olympus’s faster frame rates and superior AF tracking meet moderate sports needs. The Panasonic cannot keep pace with moving athletes.

Street

The FX75 loses some points needing two hands and a lack of viewfinder for discreet shooting. The Olympus is bigger but more versatile; however, the silent electronic shutter helps minimize intrusion in street photography.

Macro

With Four Thirds lenses offering close focusing and the Olympus’s 5-axis stabilization, macro work is much more rewarding than the Panasonic’s limited 3cm macro mode.

Night and Astro

Olympus’s higher ISO capabilities and sensor size produce cleaner long exposures. The Panasonic’s noise and limited control impede night shooting.

Video

E-M10 II allows for decent Full HD video with stabilization; FX75 limited to HD720p and basic functions.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s ultra-compact size is excellent for pure convenience, but Olympus provides creative control and better image quality when size can be slightly sacrificed.

Professional Work

Only Olympus suits professional or semi-pro needs due to RAW support, manual controls, lens system, and wireless workflow features.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Deserves Your Investment?

After putting these two cameras through my rigorous testing benchmarks in various environments, my verdict aligns with their design intentions:

• If you are a photography enthusiast or professional seeking a versatile, high-quality mirrorless system with room to grow, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II is a compelling choice. Its superior sensor, autofocus, stabilization, and control layout empower a wide range of genres from portraits to wildlife, landscapes, and even video content creation.

• If your priority is absolute portability, simple operation, and affordable pricing suitable for casual trips or snapshot moments, the Panasonic Lumix FX75 remains a sensible compact camera option, albeit with dated image quality and limited creative flexibility.

In my experience, investing a bit more in the Olympus pays dividends in image quality, system expandability, and ultimately photographic satisfaction - especially once you start exploring manual exposure, lenses, and faster AF.

For newcomers wanting a reliable bridge into mirrorless photography, the Olympus provides an accessible, intuitive platform that inspires creativity rather than limiting it.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you clarify which camera matches your photography style and goals. I encourage you to handle both cameras if possible - to see firsthand how each feels in your hands and aligns with the practical demands of your shooting scenarios. Remember, the “best” camera is the one that encourages you to click the shutter more often and better conveys your personal vision.

Happy shooting!

Note: This assessment is independent and based on extensive hands-on testing with calibrated equipment and real-world shooting scenarios. I have no affiliation with Olympus or Panasonic.