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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic ZS5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The E-PL8 was unveiled 6 years later than the ZS5 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL8 matches up versus the ZS5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL8 ZS5 
RevealedSeptember 2016June 2010More recent by 77 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Olympus E-PL8

 ZS5 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZS5

 E-PL8 ZS5 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 features exterior measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL8 and the ZS5.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and ZS5 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL8 and ZS5.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL8 will show extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer E-PL8 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
27
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography factors
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography factors
71
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (214g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
35
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZS5
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-09-19 2010-06-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lbs) 214 grams (0.47 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $500 $300