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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-M5 versus Panasonic FX78, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and FX78 (12MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and FX78 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M5 was released 16 months after the FX78 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-M5 grades against the FX78 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic FX78

 E-M5 FX78 
LaunchedApril 2012January 2011More modern by 16 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution610k230kSharper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus E-M5

 FX78 E-M5 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FX78

 E-M5 FX78 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 comes with outside measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic FX78 has specifications of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 versus Panasonic FX78 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 compared to the FX78.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and FX78 is 81 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and FX78.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography features
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography information
Panasonic FX78 Street photography information
82
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features touch to focus
weather proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
has no phase detect auto focus
28
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FX78 Travel photography highlights
66
weather proofing
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no Timelapse mode
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery power (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FX78 Vlogging highlights
34
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic FX78
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also called - Lumix DMC-FX77
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-04-30 2011-01-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 610 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 425g (0.94 lb) 142g (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 200 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $799 $210