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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 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 TS30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT30
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic TS30, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the TS30 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and TS30 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The E-PL5 was introduced 3 years earlier than the TS30 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic TS30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL5 grades vs the TS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Panasonic TS30

 E-PL5 TS30 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS30 over the Olympus E-PL5

 TS30 E-PL5 
RevealedJanuary 2015September 2012More modern by 28 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic TS30

 E-PL5 TS30 

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL5 provides physical 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) and the Panasonic TS30 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic TS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL5 and the TS30.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and TS30 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and TS30.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL5 includes the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-PL5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic TS30 Portrait photography features
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
35
resolution is good (16MP)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography information
Panasonic TS30 Street photography information
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
67
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (142g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic TS30 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
42
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (1.3 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography info
Panasonic TS30 Travel photography info
75
has focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
74
lighter than competition in class (142 grams)
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic TS30 Landscape photography highlights
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
missing Time Lapse function
43
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
Vlogging with Panasonic TS30
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
missing mic socket
33
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (142g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic TS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic TS30
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FT30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2012-09-17 2015-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
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
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 1.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 142g (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $400 $180