Olympus PEN E-PL6 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras

When it comes to choosing the right camera, photographers are often caught between specialized gear and versatile systems. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras head-to-head: the Olympus PEN E-PL6, an entry-level mirrorless camera, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5, a rugged compact designed for active and adventurous shooting. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15-year career, I’ll walk you through how these two stack up for real users - from technical details to practical shooting experiences. This detailed comparison will help you choose the right tool based on what and how you like to shoot.

First Impressions & Build Quality: Versatility Meets Durability

At a glance, these two cameras serve quite different purposes.

The Olympus E-PL6 sports a stylish, rangefinder-style mirrorless body designed for photographers who want great image quality but in a compact form with interchangeable lenses. The Panasonic TS5 (also known as Lumix DMC-FT5) on the other hand is a tough-as-nails waterproof compact, built to accompany you on rugged adventures where weather and impact resistance matter most.

If we look side by side:

The E-PL6 measures 111x64x38 mm and weighs 325 grams, featuring a sturdy but elegant feel in hand. It doesn’t boast any weather sealing, so it’s best used as a regular everyday or travel camera with care.

Conversely, the TS5, at 110x67x29 mm and weighing just 214 grams, is significantly lighter and slimmer. Its rugged construction offers waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, and freezeproofing - features missing entirely from the E-PL6.

For those who prioritize durability and outdoor resilience, Panasonic’s compact is a clear pick. But if you value expandability and creative control, the Olympus’s build and design win out.

The control layouts reflect these priorities well:

The Olympus provides more traditional camera controls, including dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and custom buttons. The Panasonic opts for simplicity and robustness, with fewer customizable controls and a fixed lens.

Sensor, Image Quality & Lens Ecosystem: Who Wins the IQ Battle?

Since image quality often crowns the victor, this section is crucial.

The Pen E-PL6 is equipped with a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm (about 224.9 sq mm). The Panasonic TS5 uses a much smaller 1/2.3" sensor, roughly 6x4.5 mm (27.7 sq mm).

Let’s compare those sensor sizes visually:

The larger Four Thirds sensor in the Olympus captures more light, offering better noise performance, dynamic range, and overall image quality. Both cameras have 16-megapixel resolution, but pixel size and sensor area drive real-world usability.

From my hands-on testing, the E-PL6 consistently delivers richer detail, especially in shadows and highlights, and smoother gradations in skin tones - a critical aspect for portrait and wedding photographers. Its sensor delivers cleaner images up to ISO 1600, even pushing up to 3200 with acceptable noise.

The TS5’s smaller sensor limits image quality, visible in its noisier files above ISO 400-800, and less dynamic range. However, it’s a trade-off for its compact ruggedness.

The Panasonic’s fixed lens is a versatile 28-128mm equivalent (4.6x zoom), making it handy for snapshots, wide landscapes, and modest telephoto reach, but it has a slower aperture range (f/3.3-5.9), which limits low-light flexibility and shallow depth of field effects.

The E-PL6 uses the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem, with access to over 100 lenses - from fast primes to high-quality zooms - empowering photographers to match glass precisely to their style.

Artfully Framing Shots: Viewscreens & Viewfinders

A satisfying framing experience is vital.

Both cameras have 3-inch rear LCD screens at 460k dots resolution, but their usability differs significantly.

The Olympus E-PL6 features a tilting touchscreen that promotes creative angles and selfie-friendly compositions. This touchscreen interface is intuitive, responsive, and supports touch autofocus.

The Panasonic TS5 has a fixed, non-touch TFT LCD. It performs well under bright sunlight due to decent brightness but lacks the ergonomic and interactive benefits of a tilting screen.

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder. The E-PL6 supports an optional add-on EVF - worth considering if you frequently shoot in bright outdoor conditions or want that traditional eye-level framing.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Let me speak frankly - autofocus and responsiveness vary a lot between these models, reflecting their categories.

The Olympus E-PL6 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points spread across the frame, including face detection, continuous, and tracking modes. It lacks phase-detect AF but given the camera's processor (TruePic VI) and well-optimized algorithms, autofocus is snappy and reliable for everyday use.

The Panasonic TS5 also relies on contrast-detection AF with 23 points, but fewer features like no face detection support. In well-lit conditions, AF is fast and accurate, but struggles slightly in dim environments or with fast-moving subjects.

Burst rates favor the TS5 marginally at 10 fps, useful for spur-of-the-moment snaps, while the E-PL6 shoots up to 8 fps - still quite strong for an entry-level interchangeable lens camera. However, buffer depth and autofocus during continuous shooting give the E-PL6 an edge for longer sequences.

Suitability Across Photography Styles: Deep Dive by Discipline

To help make sense of which camera excels where, here’s my experience across different photography genres:

Portrait Photography: Finding Beauty in Detail

Portrait demands accurate skin tone reproduction, natural bokeh, and reliable eye detection.

The Olympus E-PL6 is the clear leader - its larger sensor and access to fast MFT lenses let you create beautifully blurred backgrounds. Its face and eye detection improves focus precision, delivering razor-sharp eyes. Skin tones render naturally thanks to Olympus’s color science and RAW processing support.

The Panasonic TS5, while decent for casual portraits, cannot isolate subjects from backgrounds as well. Its smaller sensor creates deep depth of field by default, and its slow lens limits artistic control. No face detection means manual focus adjustment or risk of less precise AF.

Landscape Photography: Capturing Nature’s Majesty

Landscape photography benefits from dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing.

The E-PL6’s larger sensor yields richer tonal gradations and dynamic range, preserving highlight and shadow detail during sunrise or sunset scenes. The availability of sharp wide-angle lenses adds further creative options.

However, the Olympus lacks any environmental sealing, which may challenge outdoor ruggedness.

Panasonic TS5 shines here with its waterproof, dustproof, and freezeproof durability, allowing you to shoot in harsh conditions, including wet or dusty environments. But its small sensor and limited zoom lens mean less image quality and flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports: The Chase for Speed and Precision

For fast-moving subjects, autofocus tracking and burst performance matter.

While neither camera targets professional sports/Wildlife shooters, the E-PL6 feels more capable overall with better AF tracking modes and more focus points. The silent shutter and articulating touchscreen also enhance concealment and versatility.

The TS5 offers a faster burst rate (10 fps) but limited autofocus sophistication, which can cause missed focus in fast action. Its lens reach is moderate, limiting telephoto reach.

Street and Travel Photography: Balancing Discreteness and Performance

Street photography demands compactness, responsiveness, and discretion.

The TS5’s slim, rugged body and lightweight form make it easy to carry and less obtrusive on the street. Waterproofing means less worry about sudden rain or splashes during travel.

The Olympus E-PL6, while larger and more noticeable, offers superior image quality and creative control - a good trade-off for serious enthusiasts.

Battery life is comparable (360-370 shots), sufficient for day trips without carrying extra power.

Macro and Close-up Photography

The Panasonic TS5 features a close focusing distance of 5 cm, excellent for casual macro shots without additional gear. Optical image stabilization assists hand-held close-ups.

The E-PL6 depends on specialized micro four-thirds macro lenses, providing superior magnification and sharpness when needed but requiring investment.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance depends heavily on sensor and ISO capabilities.

Thanks to its larger sensor, the E-PL6 controls noise better at ISO 1600-3200, supports RAW files, and offers manual exposure modes ideal for star trails and nightscapes.

TS5 can struggle with noise and detail in very low light and offers no RAW shooting.

Video Capabilities

Both capture Full HD 1080p video, but:

• Panasonic TS5 shoots at up to 60 fps in 1080p, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, and includes built-in mic for casual recording. It has basic stabilization.

• Olympus E-PL6 maxes out at 30 fps 1080p video, recording in motion JPEG and MPEG-4. No microphone port or headphone jack on either, limiting advanced video workflows.

Neither camera offers 4K.

User Interface, Connectivity & Ergonomics

The Olympus’s customizable buttons, touchscreen, and optional EVF give it a more professional feel.

Panasonic’s TS5, while simpler, includes built-in GPS and NFC for easy location tagging and wireless sharing, handy for travel bloggers and adventurers. The E-PL6 supports EyeFi card for wireless.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports but no Bluetooth or headphone jacks.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use proprietary lithium-ion batteries, with similar shot counts around 360-370 shots per charge.

Single SD card slot in each camera supports SDHC/SDXC cards.

Price and Value Assessment

At current street prices (~$300 for E-PL6, $350 for TS5), these cameras are budget-friendly but appeal to different buyers.

The Olympus PEN E-PL6 is excellent value for photographers prioritizing image quality and creative flexibility in stills and video.

Panasonic TS5 is great for those needing a rugged waterproof camera for casual shooting in rough conditions, where image quality can be sacrificed for toughness.

Real-World Comparisons: Sample Images and Overall Scores

Here’s a gallery showcasing sample photos shot side-by-side in various conditions:

Olympus E PL6 front Olympus E PL6 screen back Panasonic TS5 front Panasonic TS5 screen back

And a visual breakout of overall performance scores I assigned based on weighted testing criteria:

Finally, genre-specific scores help depict strengths:

Key Takeaways & Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Olympus E-PL6 if:

  • You value image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light.
  • You want interchangeable lenses and creative control.
  • You appreciate touchscreen and optional EVF for framing.
  • You shoot video occasionally but prioritize stills.

• Choose Panasonic TS5 if:

  • You need a tough, weatherproof camera for hiking, snorkeling, or extreme conditions.
  • Portability and ruggedness trump ultimate image quality.
  • You want built-in GPS and connectivity for travel documentation.
  • You prefer a simpler point-and-shoot experience with solid zoom range.

Final Thoughts from My Camera Bag

Having carried and tested both extensively, my conclusion acknowledges their very different target users. The Olympus E-PL6 is a capable, well-rounded entry-level mirrorless system that empowers creativity with excellent image quality and lens options. It rewards the visual storyteller willing to learn and experiment.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic Lumix TS5 stands out as a reliable companion for outdoor enthusiasts needing durability and decent performance from a truly rugged compact.

Neither camera is perfect, and both have compromises - be it the lack of weather sealing on the E-PL6, or image quality constraints on the TS5. But knowing what you want to prioritize makes the choice much easier.

If you want to carry fewer lenses yet shoot better images, lean Olympus. If you want to dive, hike and snap quickly without fear, lean Panasonic.

As always, I encourage prospective buyers to hold, test, and consider their shooting style before investing. Hopefully, my hands-on comparison helps you find the camera that feels just right in your hands and elevates your photography journey.

Safe travels, and happy shooting!

This review is based on extensive professional testing using standardized methods in controlled and real-world scenarios. Neither Olympus nor Panasonic sponsored this article. My goal is to provide you with honest, expert insights to inform your camera choices.