Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Released January 2011
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FP5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the FP5 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FP5 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-PM2 was revealed 2 years after the FP5 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PM2 scores versus the FP5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FP5

 E-PM2 FP5 
ReleasedMay 2013January 2011Newer by 29 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Olympus E-PM2

 FP5 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FP5

 E-PM2 FP5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic FP5 has measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FP5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the FP5.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and FP5 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The pic here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and FP5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will give you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern E-PM2 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography factors
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
33
MP count decent (14MP)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
Panasonic FP5 Street photography info
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FP5 Sports photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
better than average battery power (260 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Panasonic FP5 Travel photography details
66
has touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery power (260 per charge)
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography advice
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
40
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery power (260 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic FP5
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
30
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FP5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FP5
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2013-05-21 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 141 gr (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $448 $199