Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ5

Let's look closer at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PM2 was unveiled 11 months after the SZ5 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PM2 scores against the SZ5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 versus the SZ5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and SZ5 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The image here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and SZ5.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PM2 will produce greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.