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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled about the same time to the ZS5 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-PL1 matches up against the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL1 ZS5 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS5 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL1 ZS5 
AnnouncedMay 2010June 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 provides physical dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1 against the ZS5.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and ZS5 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The image here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and ZS5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 includes the larger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh simpler.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
27
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (290 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
33
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2010-06-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
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 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
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 1 1
Retail pricing $288 $300