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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G3
  • New Model is Panasonic G6
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic G5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the G5 (16MP) is very close but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and G5 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-15 was revealed 12 months later than the G5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ-15 grades against the G5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic G5

 SZ-15 G5 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2012More recent by 12 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Olympus SZ-15

 G5 SZ-15 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic G5

 SZ-15 G5 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 has got outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G5 has sizing of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic G5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 versus the G5.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and G5 is 88 and 74 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The graphic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and G5.

Plainly, both cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The SZ-15 includes the smaller sensor which will make obtaining bokeh tougher. The younger SZ-15 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Panasonic G5
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic G5 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (250 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (396 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G5 as a Sports photography camera
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
51
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Panasonic G5
68
lighter than competitors (250 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (396g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic G5 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-15
Vlogging with Panasonic G5
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (250 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
62
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (396g)
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic G5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic G5
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-21 2012-07-17
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 10.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 pounds) 396 grams (0.87 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 618
Other
Battery life - 320 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $200 $699