Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
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95 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Released May 2010
- New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Launched July 2012
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PL1 was revealed 3 years prior to the SZ5 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.
Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic SZ5
E-PL1 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus E-PL1
SZ5 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | May 2010 | Fresher by 26 months | |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic SZ5
E-PL1 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact same display resolution | |
Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 features outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 versus the SZ5.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and SZ5 is 86 and 95 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and SZ5.
Clearly, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic SZ5 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-05-17 | 2012-07-18 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 5.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 | 334g (0.74 lb) | 136g (0.30 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | 250 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $288 | $195 |