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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Released November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic LS5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and LS5 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was released 5 months later than the LS5 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-PM1 grades against the LS5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic LS5

 E-PM1 LS5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 LS5 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic LS5

 E-PM1 LS5 
ReleasedNovember 2011July 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has outside 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 LS5 has dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic LS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 and the LS5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and LS5 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and LS5.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic LS5 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Panasonic LS5
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
Panasonic LS5 Street photography features
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic LS5
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect autofocus
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography info
45
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
36
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Panasonic LS5
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic socket
32
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-11-23 2011-07-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 160 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID BLS-5 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $499 $294