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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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 LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • New Model is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL5 was revealed 3 months later than the LZ20 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL5 grades against the LZ20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-PL5 LZ20 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-PL5

 LZ20 E-PL5 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic LZ20

 E-PL5 LZ20 
IntroducedSeptember 2012July 2012Similar generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 has outside 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 Panasonic LZ20 has proportions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL5 and the LZ20.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and LZ20 is 88 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and LZ20.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 has got the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF simpler.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
36
MP count decent (16MP)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography features
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competitors (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
good battery pack (380 shots)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography highlights
75
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
58
good battery pack (380 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (499g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography highlights
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have Timelapse mode
45
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
good battery pack (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging information
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging information
78
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
25
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (499 grams)
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 499 grams (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 380 images
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/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 $250