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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is fairly close but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and LS5 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 14 months earlier than the LS5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the LS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic LS5

 E-PL1 LS5 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus E-PL1

 LS5 E-PL1 
AnnouncedJuly 2011May 2010More modern by 14 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LS5

 E-PL1 LS5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 features external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic LS5 has dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PL1 vs the LS5.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and LS5 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The picture underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and LS5.

To sum up, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic LS5 will result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Panasonic LS5 Street photography features
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Panasonic LS5
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (290 shots)
has no phase detect AF
32
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (160 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography details
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low battery pack (290 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than competition (126 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography highlights
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (290 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
36
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
32
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-05-17 2011-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
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 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 160 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model BLS-1 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $288 $294