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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was launched 7 months prior to the SZ5 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 E-PM1 SZ5 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 SZ5 E-PM1 
ReleasedJuly 2012November 2011Newer by 7 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ5

 E-PM1 SZ5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 and the SZ5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and SZ5 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The pic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will show more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
34
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography advice
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography factors
45
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-11-23 2012-07-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 265 gr (0.58 lb) 136 gr (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 shots 250 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $499 $195