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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FS12, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and FS12 (12MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 was unveiled 3 years after the FS12 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-M5 matches up against the FS12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic FS12

		

		

			
 E-M5 FS12 
AnnouncedApril 2012April 2009Newer by 37 months
Manual focus  More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution610k230kCrisper display (+380k dot)
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 FS12 E-M5 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FS12

		

		

			
 E-M5 FS12 
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 has got exterior measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FS12 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 against the FS12.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and FS12 is 81 and 95 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The image underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and FS12.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M5 will produce extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 will have a benefit in sensor technology.
	
			Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography information
71
 you can focus manually
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 provides face detect focus
 delivers RAW files
20
 lack of manual focus
 no manual control
 cannot use external flash
 low MP (12MP)
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Street photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
82
 screen tilts up and down
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 comes with touch to focus
 environment sealing
 above average ISO range (25,600)
56
 image stabilization (Optical)
 fixed screen
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Sports photography camera
 Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
67
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 provides tracking focus
 environment sealing
 lacks phase detect auto focus
25
 image stabilization (Optical)
 max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
 no shutter priority
 low MP (12 megapixels)
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
66
 environment sealing
 comes with touch to focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 lack of Time Lapse function
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
51
 has built in flash
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 low MP (12MP)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
 wide angle not the best (31mm)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
 Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
73
 you can focus manually
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 environment sealing
 lack of Time Lapse function
27
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lack of manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 wide angle not the best (31mm)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
 tiny screen (2.7")
 no manual control
 low MP (12MP)
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
 does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary
Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus E-M5 as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
34
 screen is touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detect focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
 lack of mic socket
25
 image stabilization (Optical)
 wide angle not the best (31mm)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
 low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
 does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Advanced Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-04-30 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images    
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Screen technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 425 grams (0.94 lbs) 129 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $799 $228