Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic FP5

Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic FP5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the FP5 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and FP5 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL5 was launched 21 months later than the FP5 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-PL5 matches up versus the FP5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery and Panasonic FP5 Gallery.

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL5 enjoys outer measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FP5 has measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic FP5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL5 compared to the FP5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and FP5 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL5 and FP5.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The newer E-PL5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.