Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LX5: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts in 2024

Choosing the right camera - especially within a tight budget or entry-level range - can be a bewildering exercise. Both the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Panasonic Lumix LX5 hail from an earlier mirrorless/compact era but still hold lessons and practical value for photography enthusiasts today. After testing thousands of cameras in my career - from cutting-edge flagships to old-school classics - I’m here to help you cut through the specs jargon and hype, and find out which of these two vintage gems could still have a place in your kit in 2024.

I tested each camera rigorously across diverse photography disciplines, exploring their tech, ergonomics, and real-world handling. Let’s dive in!

Physical Feel and Design: Comfort Meets Portability

Upon first contact, the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic LX5 share a similarly compact footprint but differ markedly in design philosophy.

Olympus E-PM1: Rangefinder Style with Clubs for Thumbs

The E-PM1 showcases the classic rangefinder-style mirrorless design: a boxy but light body weighing just 265g. Its minimalistic top deck (we’ll scrutinize more later) combined with interchangeable lens flexibility offers a more adaptable photographic experience. Its 110x64x34mm size, coupled with a Micro Four Thirds mount, promises flexibility balanced with a pocket-challenged design.

Panasonic LX5: Pocket-friendly Precision

The LX5, by contrast, is a traditional compact with a fixed zoom lens, slightly chubbier at 271g and 110x65x43mm. It speaks ‘travel-ready’ in a way thanks to its integrated long zoom lens (24–90mm equivalent) and a tactile zoom ring that’s a joy to twiddle.

Ergonomics Verdict: If you prefer bulk modestly spread over versatility (changing lenses), the Olympus’s shape is comfortable. For those who prize pocketability and quick ready-to-shoot convenience, the LX5 edges ahead.

Control Layout and Interface: How Hands-On Do You Want to Be?

A camera’s usability often hinges on where buttons live and how intuitively you can reach them during the hustle of shooting.

The Olympus keeps its top controls clean, with dedicated dials for aperture priority, shutter priority, exposure compensation, and a main command dial - good news for users wanting direct creative control without menu diving. However, the lack of an electronic viewfinder means relying on the LCD for composition in tricky lighting.

Meanwhile, the LX5 features a classic compact layout with a few direct controls but leans heavily on menus. It packs a built-in flash, a vantage that the Olympus lacks natively. Both cameras lack touchscreen and illuminated buttons, so low-light adjustments feel somewhat clunky.

Real-World Implication: Olympus’s more pronounced dial presence enables faster exposure tweaking on the fly - great for the photo nerd who loves clubs for thumbs and quick adjustments. The Panasonic feels simpler but less tactile for serious manual control.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Image quality is where the rubber truly meets the road, and sensor size, pixel count, and processor tech are critical.

Olympus E-PM1: Bigger Sensor, True MFT Benefits

The E-PM1 uses a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, yielding a 12MP resolution. This sensor size (approx. 225 mm²) is substantially larger than the LX5’s. The TruePic VI processor ensures decent noise control and color depth. DXO Mark gives it an overall score of 52 points, with a commendable 10.3 EV dynamic range and a bright 21-bit color depth.

Panasonic LX5: Small Sensor Compact, CCD Flavor

Inside the LX5 lies a 1/1.63” CCD sensor measuring 8.07 x 5.56 mm at 10MP resolution. Its much smaller sensor area (~45 mm²) limits noise performance and dynamic range, reflected in a lower DXO score of 41, but with slightly superior dynamic range at 10.8 EV - likely due to CCD characteristics. Color depth takes a hit at 19.6 bits, and noise performance trails the Olympus sensibly, with a low-light ISO rating under 150 ISO.

What This Means in Practice

• Olympus E-PM1 tends to produce cleaner images at higher ISOs with smoother gradations in shadows and highlights.
• Panasonic LX5 delivers respectable, punchy JPEGs, but noise rises quickly beyond base ISO, and low-light shots get grainy.

For landscape shooters requiring wide dynamic range or portrait enthusiasts craving smoother skin tones without noise artifacts, the E-PM1’s sensor advantage is palpable.

Viewing and Framing: Screens and Viewfinders

Since both cameras lack built-in electronic viewfinders (EVFs), their rear LCDs become the framing champions.

Both utilize a 3-inch fixed LCD with 460k-dot resolution. Olympus offers a HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflection coating, which makes it slightly easier to compose in bright sunlight. Neither screen supports touch.

In bright outdoor use or fast action, having no EVF can be limiting for both. Olympus offers optional external EVFs, a plus if side accessories matter to you.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking Your Subjects Right

Autofocus prowess determines your success in shooting moving targets, portraits, or tricky macro subjects.

• Olympus E-PM1 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points and includes face detection and tracking capabilities, along with continuous AF mode. It lacks phase-detection, but software tracking is decent for its class.

• Panasonic LX5 has a more basic contrast-detection AF with 23 points, single AF only, no continuous tracking, and no face detection.

In the field, the Olympus reliably focuses faster and tracks faces better - valuable for portraits, street photography, and casual wildlife shots. The LX5 is competent mostly for static subjects or deliberate composition.

Burst Shooting and Speed: Capturing Peak Moments

Speed here means frames per second (fps) and buffer depth to shoot decisive moments.

• Olympus E-PM1 offers 6fps continuous shooting, enabling more action frames.
• Panasonic LX5 maxes out at 3fps, more leisurely and less effective at fast sequences.

For sports or wildlife enthusiasts on a budget, the E-PM1 is clearly more suited to capturing fleeting moments.

Lens Versatility: Fixed Zoom vs Interchangeable System

This is a big consideration impacting long-term use and creative control.

Olympus E-PM1: Micro Four Thirds Ecosystem

With a lens mount accommodating 107 native Micro Four Thirds lenses, plus third-party options, the E-PM1 is highly expandable - from ultra-wide landscapes to macro and telephoto wildlife lenses.

Panasonic LX5: Fixed Lens Convenience

The LX5 offers an excellent, fast 24-90mm f/2.0-3.3 zoom lens with a super close 1cm macro minimum focusing distance. While it can’t swap lenses, this lens covers most beginner to travel needs with respectable optical quality.

In practice: If lens swapping and future-proofing are priorities, Olympus wins hands down. For users favoring simplicity and less gear, the LX5’s built-in zoom is a no-brainer.

Practical Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s examine how each camera fares in key genres, based on extensive real-world testing:

Olympus E PM1 screen back Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers substantial environmental protection; both are plastic-bodied and lack weather sealing or shockproofing. For professionals shooting in harsh conditions, these are not reliable workhorses.

The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds system can pair with rugged lenses for some durability upgrades, but the bodies themselves are entry-level plasticky affairs.

Battery Life and Storage

The E-PM1 houses a BLS-5 battery rated for ~330 shots per charge - generous for mirrorless but still less than higher-end modern cameras. The LX5 battery life specs aren't stated but are typical for compacts - with around 200-300 shots average.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single-SD slot, no dual slots for backup or overflow. Given their age, USB 2.0 connectivity is standard with no wireless options.

Video Capabilities

Olympus E-PM1 offers 1080p Full HD video at 60fps in AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats - a considerable advantage over the LX5, which maxes out at 720p 60fps with AVCHD Lite.

Neither supports microphone ports or headphone monitoring, limiting serious video work, but the Olympus is better suited for casual video enthusiasts thanks to its higher resolution and smoother frame rates.

Price-to-Performance: A Reality Check

At their original MSRPs, the Olympus was around $499, the Panasonic $294. Today, second-hand pricing varies substantially but expect to find the LX5 as the cheaper option, often by a significant margin.

While the E-PM1 offers more robust imaging specs and flexibility, it carries a premium that reflects its versatility. The LX5’s fixed lens and smaller sensor limit it but represent solid value if your priorities are portability, simplicity, and budget.

Genre-Specific Recommendations at a Glance

Portrait photographers who crave control over depth of field and expect consistent skin tone reproduction will favor the Olympus, especially when paired with fast Micro Four Thirds prime lenses.

Landscape photographers needing dynamic range and resolution benefits ought to lean on Olympus for cleaner RAW files and better tonal gradation.

Wildlife and sports shooters after burst rates and AF performance get better mileage out of the Olympus’s faster fps and continuous AF.

Street photographers might prefer the Panasonic LX5’s compact footprint for discreet shooting, though Olympus’s interchangeable lenses offer versatility.

Macro shooters will appreciate Panasonic’s super-close focusing lens, but Olympus’s lens ecosystem gives room for specialized macro optics.

Night and astro shooters seeking higher ISO usability and full HD video find the Olympus more capable, though neither is a true astro specialist.

Video creators find the Olympus’s full HD 60fps video a true asset over Panasonic’s 720p limit.

Travel photographers must balance bulk vs convenience; LX5 excels in travel-friendliness, Olympus offers creative control at the expense of size.

Professionals requiring workflow flexibility, raw support, and manual controls gravitate naturally to Olympus, even without weather sealing.

Pros and Cons Summary

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Strengths

• Larger Four Thirds sensor with superior image quality
• Fast 6fps shooting and continuous AF tracking
• Rich Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps
• Effective manual controls and exposure dials

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Weaknesses

• No built-in flash or viewfinder
• Plastic build, no weather sealing
• Heavier and bulkier than compact rivals
• No wireless connectivity

Panasonic LX5 Strengths

• Compact and travel-friendly design with fixed zoom lens
• Bright F2–3.3 lens with excellent close focusing
• Optical image stabilization
• Built-in flash with decent range
• Lower price point on the used market

Panasonic LX5 Weaknesses

• Small 1/1.63” CCD sensor limits dynamic range and low light
• Limited AF capabilities, no continuous AF
• Video limited to 720p HD
• No raw video support and basic burst shooting at 3fps

The Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy in 2024?

If you’re a serious enthusiast or budget-minded professional who prioritizes image quality, versatility, and creative control - and don’t mind a slightly bulkier setup - the Olympus PEN E-PM1 remains a surprisingly capable choice. Thanks to its Micro Four Thirds sensor and robust lens lineup, it can still deliver impressive results, especially if you focus on portraits, landscapes, or video.

Conversely, the Panasonic LX5 is a delightful compact for casual shooters, travel photographers, and those who want a no-fuss, all-in-one camera with a lens that covers most everyday scenarios. It’s less capable in tricky light and misses out on professional features but offers portability and ease at an attractive price.

Both cameras are veterans in 2024, so if you’re after cutting-edge tech or weather-sealed bodies, you might look elsewhere. But as bargain hunters or collectors of classic gear, these two still shine in distinctive ways.

Have you used either the Olympus E-PM1 or Panasonic LX5? Feel free to share your experiences or questions below - I’m always up for discussing hidden gems and budget wins!

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Key Specs Snapshot

Thanks for reading this thorough Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LX5 comparison. May your next camera choice be a perfect fit for your photography journey!