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Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
86
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL6
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Launched August 2020
  • Replacement is Panasonic S5 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL7 (16MP) and S5 (24MP) and the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL7 was unveiled 7 years before the S5 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PL7 matches up vs the S5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Panasonic S5

 E-PL7 S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-PL7

 S5 E-PL7 
LaunchedAugust 2020September 2014More recent by 72 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1037kSharper display (+803k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL7 and Panasonic S5

 E-PL7 S5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3.0"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL7 provides outside measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S5 has proportions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL7 and the S5.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL7 and S5 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL7 and S5.

Clearly, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL7 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic S5 will offer extra detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL7 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography information
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
85
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Street photography factors
Panasonic S5 Street photography factors
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL7
Sports photography with Panasonic S5
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Travel photography info
Panasonic S5 Travel photography info
85
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
resolution is good (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S5 Landscape photography advice
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.0 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Vlogging details
Panasonic S5 Vlogging details
78
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no microphone support
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic support
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL7 and Panasonic S5
 Olympus PEN E-PL7Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL7 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2014-09-01 2020-08-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 225
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Number of lenses 107 31
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3.0 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357g (0.79 pounds) 714g (1.57 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 873 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 440 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots 1 2
Pricing at launch $499 $1,999