Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-10

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus SZ-10, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the SZ-10 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and SZ-10 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL5 was released 20 months after the SZ-10 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL5 matches up vs the SZ-10 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Olympus SZ-10. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery and Olympus SZ-10 Gallery.

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 has got external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-10 has specifications of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus SZ-10 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL5 versus the SZ-10.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and SZ-10 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Usually, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and SZ-10.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL5 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern E-PL5 provides a benefit in sensor technology.