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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump 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
  • Introduced August 2020
  • Later Model is Panasonic S5 II
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and S5 (24MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) have different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was introduced 9 years before the S5 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PM1 grades vs the S5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic S5

 E-PM1 S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 S5 E-PM1 
IntroducedAugust 2020November 2011Newer by 106 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k460kCrisper display (+1380k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S5

 E-PM1 S5 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display size3"3.0"Same display measurement

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S5 has specifications of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 and the S5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and S5 is 89 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and S5.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic S5 will result in greater detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
85
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Panasonic S5 Street photography details
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
Panasonic S5 Sports photography features
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Panasonic S5
45
missing Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
79
weather proofing
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
86
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.0")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S5 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-11-23 2020-08-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 31
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.0"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 714 gr (1.57 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 440 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots One 2
Retail pricing $499 $1,999