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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2012
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • Replacement is Panasonic S5 II
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic S5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and S5 (24MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL5 was introduced 9 years before the S5 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL5 scores against the S5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Panasonic S5

 E-PL5 S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-PL5

 S5 E-PL5 
ReleasedAugust 2020September 2012Fresher by 96 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k460kClearer display (+1380k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic S5

 E-PL5 S5 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display size3"3.0"Same display size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 has external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S5 has dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic S5 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 change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL5 versus the S5.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and S5 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and S5.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic S5 will offer you more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PL5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
Panasonic S5 Street photography info
85
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography info
Panasonic S5 Sports photography info
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Travel photography camera
75
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse function
79
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
MP count good (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Landscape photography camera
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse function
86
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.0 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S5 Vlogging highlights
78
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
missing external mic support
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic port
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic S5
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL5 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-09-17 2020-08-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 31
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.0"
Display resolution 460k dot 1,840k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 gr (0.72 lbs) 714 gr (1.57 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 440 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at release $400 $1,999