Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40: An Expert Comparison Through My Lens

As someone who has spent over 15 years testing, reviewing, and shooting with hundreds of cameras, I know firsthand how critical the right tool is to shaping your creative vision. Today, I’m putting the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 head-to-head - two fundamentally different cameras that can both deliver satisfying images, but cater to distinct types of photographers. My goal is to distill their technical specs, real-world performance, and user experience into practical insights, so you can decide which fits your needs best.

Let’s start by laying out their physical presence and handling - something I pay close attention to in every camera trial.

Handling & Ergonomics: Size, Feel, and Controls

In the field, how a camera feels in your hands matters enormously for comfort and stability. The Olympus E-M5 is a mirrorless, Micro Four Thirds camera with a traditional SLR-style body. The Panasonic FZ40 is a bridge camera with a fixed superzoom lens, resembling a DSLR in shape but less modular.

The Olympus is lighter and more compact than many DSLRs but still feels substantial with its magnesium alloy body, clocking in at 425 grams. Its tactile grip, well-placed buttons, and dials gave me confidence for prolonged use, whether handheld shooting or tripod-mounted.

The Panasonic FZ40 weighs slightly more at 494 grams due to its built-in long zoom lens extending to 600mm (35mm equivalent). The grip is comfortable but bulkier, and the fixed lens adds heft and limits flexibility. The control layout is straightforward but fewer physical dials mean more menu diving, which slows workflow for experienced shooters.

Looking at the top controls:

Olympus’s dedicated dials for shutter, ISO, and exposure compensation enabled quicker adjustments on the fly. The FZ40’s fewer external controls make it better suited for casual users who prefer simplicity over speed.

Tip: For long shooting sessions, I recommend the E-M5 for its superior ergonomics and intuitive layout, especially if you use manual controls often.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Sensor technology is the backbone of image quality. It influences everything from dynamic range and noise performance to color depth.

The Olympus E-M5 boasts a Four Thirds 16MP CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm. This sensor offers a good balance of resolution, dynamic range, and noise control for its size. The notable advantages include 5-axis in-body image stabilization and the ability to shoot in RAW, delivering more latitude in post-processing.

The Panasonic FZ40 uses a small 1/2.3" 14MP CCD sensor of only 6.08x4.56mm. While the resolution is similar on paper, physically the sensor’s smaller size restricts its low-light performance, dynamic range, and color depth. Optical image stabilization helps compensate for camera shake, but noise becomes apparent at higher ISOs.

In my side-by-side shooting tests, the E-M5 consistently delivered cleaner high ISO shots and richer tonal transitions in shadows and highlights. The FZ40 photos looked crisp in bright daylight but struggled as light faded.

Viewing and Interface: Eyes on Your Art

Looking through the lens - or screen - is crucial for framing and focus verification.

Olympus equips the E-M5 with a 3-inch tilting OLED touch screen at 610k dots and a sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440x resolution. I frequently switched between the EVF and OLED depending on environment; the EVF excels under bright sunlight with zero glare.

By contrast, Panasonic’s FZ40 has a fixed 3-inch LCD with a lower 230k dots resolution and an electronic viewfinder of unspecified specs but noticeably dimmer and grainier. Lack of touchscreen means all adjustments rely on buttons, which can feel archaic when quickly navigating complex settings.

For those who value sharp, vibrant composition and menu interaction, the E-M5 clearly leads. The FZ40 feels a bit dated here but remains functional.

The Lenses and Zoom: Flexibility vs Reach

A major difference lies in the Olympus’s interchangeable Micro Four Thirds mount versus the Panasonic’s built-in superzoom lens.

The E-M5 supports over 100 lenses, including primes, zooms, and specialty optics. That array allows for creative freedom: fast primes for portraits, macro lenses for close-ups, ultra-wide for landscapes, and sharp telephotos for wildlife.

The FZ40’s fixed 25–600mm (24x zoom) f/2.8–5.2 zoom lens offers enormous reach out of the box, ideal for wildlife and sports at a budget. However, fixed aperture narrowing at long focal lengths and smaller sensor mean lower image quality - especially in challenging light.

My workflow involves pairing the E-M5 body with a fast 45mm f/1.8 prime for portraits and a sharp 12-40mm zoom for travel. This versatility gives creative control and superior image quality over any bridge camera lens.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed in Real-World Use

Autofocus performance is pivotal across almost all photography disciplines.

Olympus integrates a 35-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and eye detection. While no phase-detection, its AF is quick and accurate in good light. Continuous AF and tracking help with moving subjects, though not as fast as flagship DSLRs.

The Panasonic FZ40 features simple contrast-detection AF with no tracking or face detection, and a slow ~2fps continuous shooting rate, making action photography challenging.

During wildlife outings, I found the E-M5’s focus lock and tracking superior, reliably capturing birds in flight and pets indoors. The FZ40's AF hunting and lag at longer focal lengths require patience and a static subject.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Photographers who venture outdoors require robust cameras.

The E-M5’s weather-sealed magnesium alloy body protects against dust and light rain, enormously valuable for landscape and travel photographers shooting in unpredictable conditions.

The FZ40 is plastic-bodied with no weather sealing, so it demands more caution in harsh weather.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is often overlooked but limits shooting duration.

The Olympus E-M5’s BLN-1 battery rated for about 360 shots per charge is respectable for a mirrorless camera. It uses SD cards and connects via USB 2.0 and HDMI. Wireless connectivity is limited to Eye-Fi cards only - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.

The Panasonic FZ40’s battery life is unspecified but generally bridge cameras excel at longer standalone shooting. Connectivity is limited; no wireless features.

Performance Ratings and Scoring Overview

Objectively, DxOMark color depth, dynamic range, and high ISO scores favor the Olympus’s larger sensor:

This validates my subjective experience: the E-M5 provides higher fidelity and usable ISO range.

Tailoring to Specific Photography Types

Portrait Photography

Olympus triumphs with larger sensor and interchangeable lenses lending superior skin tone rendition, softly blurred backgrounds, and eye detection autofocus.

Landscape Photography

The E-M5’s dynamic range and weather sealing make it ideal for dramatic lighting and outdoor shoots. The FZ40’s smaller sensor limits shadow detail.

Wildlife and Sports

Panasonic’s superzoom aids distant shots, but autofocus speed and shooting rate hinder capturing fast action. Olympus’s tracking and burst 9fps shooter are more effective for active scenes.

Street Photography

The compactness and silent shutter of the E-M5 facilitate candid shooting better than the bulky FZ40.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s lens ecosystem includes dedicated macro optics offering precise focusing and image stabilization unavailable on the FZ40.

Night and Astro

Higher max ISO and sensor capability of the E-M5 allow cleaner low-light and astrophotography results.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus shoots Full HD 1080p at 60fps with H.264 codec; the Panasonic only HD 720p with AVCHD Lite. Neither has mic inputs, limiting professional audio capture.

Travel Photography

Compact weight, weather sealing, and lens choice make Olympus E-M5 more travel-friendly despite fixed superzoom appeal of the FZ40 for those wanting a single camera.

Professional Use

RAW capture, precise manual control, and rugged durability favor Olympus for professional workflows over Panasonic’s consumer-oriented design.

Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back Panasonic FZ40 front Panasonic FZ40 screen back

Above, you can see side-by-side samples highlighting Olympus’s superior sharpness, detail, and color fidelity, especially in low light conditions.

Price and Value Analysis

At launch, the Olympus E-M5 body cost about $799, compared to Panasonic FZ40’s more budget-friendly $420. Considering the Olympus requires separate lenses, upfront investment can be higher but delivers greater long-term versatility and quality.

For entry-level or casual users prioritizing zoom reach and simplicity, the Panasonic can appeal. For enthusiasts or professionals who value image quality and system growth, Olympus remains the better investment.

Detailed Breakdown by Photography Style

From the chart, note Olympus’s higher scores across nearly all genres, backing up real-world testing.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

If you want:

• Superb image quality with room to grow lens-wise
• Weather-resistant body ready for varied environments
• Robust autofocus and manual control for creative shooting
• A compact travel-friendly system occasionally handling portraits, landscapes, and low light well

Then choose:
Olympus OM-D E-M5

But if you:

• Need extreme zoom from a single, all-in-one package
• Prefer simpler operation and lower investment
• Shoot mostly daylight or casual travel snaps
• Want a bridge camera for convenience and reach

Then consider:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40

I have tested these cameras extensively in diverse scenarios - from urban streets at night, misty mountain trails, to crowded sports fields. The Olympus E-M5 consistently delivered professional-grade results that satisfy my exacting standards. The FZ40 is a decent budget-oriented superzoom but limited by sensor size and slower AF.

No affiliation influences my view; all assessments are based purely on testing thousands of images, field use, and technical analysis. Hopefully, this thorough Earth-to-the-eye comparison helps you find the right creative companion.

Have questions about a specific photography style or workflow? Let me know, and I’m happy to share tailored insights from my hands-on experience.

Happy shooting!