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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced November 2010
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZS5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1s was launched 6 months after the ZS5 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PL1s grades against the ZS5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL1s ZS5 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 ZS5 E-PL1s 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL1s ZS5 
IntroducedNovember 2010June 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s provides outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by 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") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZS5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1s and the ZS5.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and ZS5 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The pic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and ZS5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s features the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF easier.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
27
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (290 shots)
has no phase detect AF
31
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
33
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-11-16 2010-06-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface 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
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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
Microphone 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 grams (0.74 pounds) 214 grams (0.47 pounds)
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 Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $599 $300