Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic SZ5: A Deep-Dive Camera Comparison for Discerning Photographers

The photography equipment landscape spans a wide spectrum, from highly capable advanced mirrorless systems to simplistic pocket-friendly compacts. Selecting the optimal camera invariably depends on matching features, ergonomics, and performance to specific shooting scenarios and skill levels. Here, we present a meticulous comparison between two distinctly different cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, a seasoned advanced mirrorless from Olympus's micro four thirds lineage, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5, a basic compact with a small sensor and fixed zoom lens.

This analysis is grounded in extensive hands-on testing and detailed technical evaluation, aimed at serious enthusiasts and professionals seeking clarity on practical usability and image quality parameters. Whether your intent is intricate portraiture, expansive landscapes, wildlife pursuit, or casual travel photography, understanding how these cameras stack up under varied conditions is critical.

Understanding Their Design DNA: Build, Size, and Ergonomics

An initial hands-on appraisal begins with how a camera physically integrates into a photographer’s workflow - handling, interface, and durability profoundly influence shooting efficiency.

Body Architecture and Handling

Olympus E-M5 II features a traditional SLR-styled mirrorless body with robust magnesium alloy construction. It is weather-sealed against dust and moisture, a significant asset for outdoors and travel photography where environmental conditions vary. The camera's heft at 469g is manageable but presents a reassuring solidity to experienced hands. The grip and button placement have been refined from Olympus’s earlier E-M5, incorporating a fully articulated, 3-inch touchscreen LCD which encourages flexible composition from difficult angles. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts a 2.36M-dot resolution with 100% coverage, supporting precise framing critical for professional assignments.

In contrast, the Panasonic SZ5 is a compact, pocketable traveler with a plastic build and no weather sealing. Weighing just 136g with dimensions of 104x58x21mm, it is easy to carry but sacrifices the tactile controls found on more advanced systems. The fixed 3-inch LCD fixed screen has modest resolution at only 230k dots, reducing visual clarity for live preview and menu navigation. It lacks any electronic viewfinder, requiring composition exclusively via the rear LCD - limiting usability in bright sunlight and dynamic shooting.

Control Layout and User Interface

Olympus’s top control layout prioritizes direct access dials and configurable buttons facilitating rapid manual adjustments - ideal in fast-paced settings. Its TruePic VII processor is complemented by responsive touchscreen AF point selection, and well-placed exposure compensation and ISO controls let the photographer maintain creative command without menu diving.

Panasonic's SZ5, by design, offers minimal control complexity. It lacks manual exposure modes, shutter priority, or aperture control. The plastic body and non-illuminated buttons signal its entry-level target, emphasizing point-and-shoot convenience over granular control. The minimalistic interface may frustrate advanced users who demand greater customization or tactile feedback.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Paradigms

Sensor characteristics largely dictate photographic fidelity and creative potential. Here, Olympus’s micro four thirds sensor stands in stark contrast to Panasonic’s small 1/2.3-inch chip.

Sensor Specifications and Technical Implications

The E-M5 II houses a 17.3x13mm Four Thirds MOS sensor, with an effective resolution of 16 megapixels. This sensor size provides a balanced compromise between image quality and system compactness, yielding a sensor area of approximately 224.9 mm². Its sensor supports an antialiasing filter that helps control moiré artifacts, beneficial in high-resolution prints or architectural photography.

Conversely, the SZ5 is equipped with a diminutive 6.08x4.56mm 1/2.3" CCD sensor of 14 megapixels, equating to a mere 27.7 mm² area. Smaller sensors typically demand increased pixel density, which can exacerbate noise at elevated ISOs, degrade dynamic range, and impair subtle tonal transitions.

Image Quality Assessment

Measured using established DXO Mark metrics where available, the E-M5 II scores an overall 73 points, substantiating its advanced imaging capabilities - notable dynamic range of 12.4 EV stops and excellent color depth of 23 bits ensure nuanced gradations essential for demanding portrait and landscape work.

The SZ5 sensor was not tested by DXO Mark, but industry benchmarks for 1/2.3" CCDs position its dynamic range and noise handling as limited. Its maximum native ISO of 1600 (expandable to 6400) reflects constraints in low-light usability.

Real-world shooting confirms this gap; Olympus exhibits refined highlight retention and shadow detail, key in HDR workflows and outdoor scenes, while Panasonic images tend to lose detail in shadows and exhibit early noise onset beyond ISO 400.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

High-performance autofocus (AF) systems can elevate or cripple photographic output depending on their sophistication, especially in sports, wildlife, and event photography.

Autofocus Systems and Flexibility

The Olympus E-M5 II employs a contrast-detection AF system with 81 selectable focus points supplemented by face detection and live view touch AF capabilities. Although it lacks phase-detection autofocus directly on the sensor, this camera’s hybrid autofocus performs competitively in good lighting, aided by advanced algorithms and AF tracking modes that maintain subject lock effectively during continuous burst shooting at 10 fps.

Meanwhile, Panasonic SZ5 offers a relatively rudimentary contrast-detection system with 23 AF points and face detection but without sophisticated tracking capabilities. Its continuous shooting is limited to 2 fps, unsuitable for capturing fast action or fleeting moments reliably.

Real-World Implications for Disciplines

• Wildlife and Sports: The E-M5 II’s higher frame rates, 81 AF points, and superior AF tracking substantially improve the probability of sharp, in-focus frames on moving subjects. The SZ5’s slow shooting and simpler AF limit it largely to stationary subjects.

• Macro: Olympus’s focus bracketing and focus stacking features enable precise macro captures with extended depth of field, a benefit compounded by its in-body 5-axis stabilization.

• Portraits: Eye detection AF on the E-M5 II, though not as evolved as some contemporaries, aids sharp portraits, whereas SZ5 has no such capabilities.

Lens Ecosystem and Creative Versatility

A camera’s potential depends heavily on native lens availability and compatibility, impacting everything from compositional freedom to optical quality.

Olympus E-M5 II Lens Mount and Range

Featuring the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount, Olympus taps into a mature ecosystem with over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers. This includes specialist optics like fast primes (f/1.2–f/1.8), rugged all-weather telephoto zooms, tilt-shift lenses for architectural precision, and macro optics with fine close focusing.

MFT’s 2x crop factor makes telephoto reach easily attainable, critical for wildlife and sports photographers on a budget. Lenses also support optical image stabilization, complementing the camera’s 5-axis sensor stabilization system for superior handheld shooting.

Panasonic SZ5 Fixed Lens Constraints

The SZ5’s fixed 25-250mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens provides broad reach but with a relatively slow aperture range (f/3.1–5.9), limiting creative control over depth of field and low-light performance. No option to swap lenses restricts adaptability for specialized photography workflows.

Display, Viewfinder, and Interface: Composing and Reviewing Images

Visual feedback systems directly affect shooting precision, usability in varied lighting, and post-shot assessment.

Articulated Touchscreen vs Fixed Low-Resolution LCD

Olympus’s fully articulated 3.0-inch LCD with 1.037 million dots resolution offers sharp, detailed live previews and menu navigation. Its touchscreen functionality facilitates intuitive AF point placement and gesture zoom for reviewing images on-site, an indispensable feature for dynamic shooting environments or less conventional angles.

The Panasonic SZ5’s fixed TFT LCD provides only 230k dots, resulting in less accurate exposure preview and challenging use under bright conditions. Absence of touchscreen also complicates quick menu access or autofocus point adjustments, often relegating users to slower scroll-wheel navigation.

Electronic Viewfinder Integration

The Olympus’s EVF with 0.74x magnification and 100% frame coverage enables precise image composition that mimics optical viewfinders, reducing eye strain and improving visibility in daylight. The SZ5 omits any viewfinder, compelling reliance on the rear LCD exclusively.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Workflow Considerations

Operational endurance and file management impact the feasibility of sustained shooting sessions, remote control, and image offloading.

Battery Efficiency and Capacity

The E-M5 II is powered by the BLN-1 battery pack, offering approximately 310 shots per charge under CIPA conditions. Real world use, especially with frequent use of the rear LCD or EVF, may reduce this, but auxiliary battery grips or off-camera charging can mitigate concerns.

The SZ5 employs a proprietary battery with a rated life around 250 shots - sufficient for day-to-day casual use. However, extended outings or professional needs dictate carrying backup power due to its absence of USB charging or hot-swappable options.

Storage Flexibility

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. The Olympus supports faster UHS-I cards facilitating quicker buffer clearing, crucial during burst bursts. Panasonic’s slower internal buffering corresponds with its limited continuous shooting speed.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both models incorporate built-in wireless for image sharing, but Olympus’s more refined Wi-Fi implementation enables direct image transfer to smartphones and remote camera control via dedicated apps - a useful feature during on-location shoots, family events, or streamlined workflows.

Panasonic’s wireless integration is more basic, lacking Bluetooth, NFC, or HDMI output, complicating tethered shooting or direct viewing on external displays.

Assessing Performance Across Photography Types

Using a genre-specific lens, we assess these cameras’ suitability for a broad photographic spectrum:

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-M5 II’s accurate skin tone rendition and 5-axis image stabilization enable tack-sharp images with natural bokeh from paired prime lenses. Eye detection AF enhances focus precision. The SZ5 with limited aperture and fixed lens struggles to isolate subjects due to smaller sensor depth of field and slower optics.

Landscape Photography

High resolution and excellent dynamic range place Olympus in a class above, capturing intricate detail and wide tonal gradations in RAW format. Its weather sealing mitigates risk under unpredictable conditions. Meanwhile, Panasonic’s sensor noise and limited resolution restrain final image quality when blown up for large prints.

Wildlife and Sports

E-M5 II’s responsive AF, faster shutter speeds (up to 1/8000s electronic and mechanical), and 10fps burst deliver handheld wildlife and action shots effectively. Conversely, SZ5’s 2 fps rate and autofocus lag hinder action capture, restricting it primarily to static subjects.

Street and Travel Photography

While Olympus delivers high-quality images, its larger size and usable weight may deter seriously discreet street photography - though the articulated screen helps shooting from the hip or unusual angles. Panasonic’s ultra-compact dimensions and lightness render it an unobtrusive travel companion, despite image quality compromises.

Macro and Night/Astro Imaging

Olympus’s focus bracketing combined with sensor stabilization extends its utility into macro realms and long exposures for night photography. Panasonic lacks such capability and low-light ISO range, rendering it unsuitable for astrophotography or complex macro work.

Video Performance

Olympus records full HD 1080p video up to 60fps with microphone input for enhanced audio, facilitating reasonable video production workflows. Panasonic's maximum video resolution caps at 720p at 30 fps, with no external mic support, confining it to casual home videos.

Summary Scores and Final Verdicts

Integrating all performance vectors, the Olympus E-M5 II attains a clear superiority in imaging quality, versatility, autofocus sophistication, and professional utility. The Panasonic SZ5 modestly compensates with portability and simplicity but is best positioned as a budget beginner’s camera or a casual travel snapshot device.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Panasonic SZ5 front Panasonic SZ5 screen back

Who Should Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II?

• Advanced Enthusiasts and Professionals seeking a durable, weather-resistant mirrorless with a versatile lens system.
• Photographers needing strong low-light, macro, wildlife, and sports capabilities, with customizable controls and advanced AF tracking.
• Videographers requiring full-HD video and audio inputs.
• Users prioritizing image quality and dynamic range for print or commercial use.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5?

• Casual photographers prioritizing compactness and ease of use for everyday shooting.
• Budget-conscious buyers requiring a simple zoom camera without manual exposure headaches.
• Travelers and street photographers valuing pocket portability over ultimate image finesse.
• Users new to digital photography who want straightforward point-and-shoot operation.

Conclusion

Selecting between the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic SZ5 is essentially an exercise in matching performance demands and ergonomic preference against budget and portability. The Olympus embodies years of micro four thirds refinement, delivering stellar image quality, versatility, and professional-grade features in a robust shell. The Panasonic SZ5’s compact size and simplicity offer accessible imaging for casual use but with inherent compromises in quality, speed, and functionality.

By applying rigorous testing methodologies - from controlled lab measurements to field trials across multiple photography genres - this comparative review aims to empower discerning photographers with transparent insights. Whether your lens is on high artistry or casual enjoyment, choosing a camera requires balancing specifications with real-world usability - a balance this detailed analysis strives to illuminate.