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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 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
  • Launched September 2012
Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS20
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS30
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic ZS25, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the ZS25 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and ZS25 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL5 was revealed 3 months prior to the ZS25 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL5 grades vs the ZS25 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Panasonic ZS25

 E-PL5 ZS25 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Olympus E-PL5

 ZS25 E-PL5 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic ZS25

 E-PL5 ZS25 
IntroducedSeptember 2012January 2013Similar generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 features 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 ZS25 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic ZS25 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL5 against the ZS25.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and ZS25 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and ZS25.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL5 uses the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field easier.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
32
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Street photography camera
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than competition (193g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
45
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS25 Travel photography features
75
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
69
lighter than competition (193 grams)
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (260 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL5
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS25
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging information
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (193g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic ZS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic ZS25
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ35
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2013-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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) 193g (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $400 $300