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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the FP5 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FP5 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was launched 2 months later than the FP5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL2 grades versus the FP5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FP5

 E-PL2 FP5 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Olympus E-PL2

 FP5 E-PL2 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP5

 E-PL2 FP5 
LaunchedFebruary 2011January 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with outside measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Panasonic FP5 has dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the FP5.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and FP5 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the difference in sensor sizing only by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and FP5.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FP5 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Panasonic FP5 Street photography info
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography details
Panasonic FP5 Sports photography details
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (280 per charge)
no phase detect AF
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (260 shots)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FP5 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (260 CIPA)
provides touch focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography advice
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (280 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
40
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (260 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Panasonic FP5 Vlogging information
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
30
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP5
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-02-11 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Venus Engine IV
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max 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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 362g (0.80 lbs) 141g (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $199