Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
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95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Revealed November 2010
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL1
- Later Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Revealed July 2012
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.
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The E-PL1s was released 20 months prior to the SZ5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL1s grades against the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic SZ5
E-PL1s | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus E-PL1s
SZ5 | E-PL1s | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2012 | ![]() | November 2010 | Fresher by 20 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic SZ5
E-PL1s | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s provides outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1s vs the SZ5.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and SZ5 is 86 and 95 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and SZ5.
Clearly, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-11-16 | 2012-07-18 |
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 | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 8 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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 |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | 334 grams (0.74 lbs) | 136 grams (0.30 lbs) |
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 All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 images | 250 images |
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 | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $599 | $195 |