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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67
Olympus PEN-F front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic LS5, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and LS5 (14MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and LS5 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The PEN-F was launched 4 years after the LS5 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the PEN-F scores against the LS5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Panasonic LS5

 PEN-F LS5 
ReleasedJanuary 2016July 2011Newer by 56 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus PEN-F

 LS5 PEN-F 

Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic LS5

 PEN-F LS5 

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus PEN-F enjoys physical measurements of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic LS5 has specifications of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic LS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the PEN-F against the LS5.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the PEN-F and LS5 is 84 and 94 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the PEN-F and LS5.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The PEN-F because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus PEN-F will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger PEN-F will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
75
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Street photography camera
84
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus PEN-F
Sports photography with Panasonic LS5
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
not so great battery power (330 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (160 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Travel photography info
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography info
75
offers focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery power (330 shots)
65
lighter than competition in class (126g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (160 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography highlights
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (330 CIPA)
36
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (160 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Vlogging factors
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging factors
78
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no microphone socket
32
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus PEN-FPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN-F Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-01-27 2011-07-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
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 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 427 grams (0.94 lbs) 126 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 894 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 160 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID BLN-1 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,000 $294