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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic F5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 97 x 58 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic F5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the F5 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and F5 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 13 months prior to the F5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic F5 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the F5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic F5

 E-PM1 F5 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic F5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 F5 E-PM1 
RevealedJanuary 2013November 2011More recent by 13 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic F5

 E-PM1 F5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic F5 has specifications of 97mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic F5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PM1 against the F5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and F5 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and F5.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic F5 will render more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic F5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
29
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Panasonic F5 Street photography info
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
56
lighter than average in class (121g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic F5 as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
33
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic F5 as a Travel photography camera
45
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic F5 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
33
really wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic F5 Vlogging advice
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
28
really wide (28mm)
lighter than average in class (121g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic F5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic F5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-11-23 2013-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
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
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 121 grams (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 97 x 58 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 250 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $499 $100