Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43


94 Imaging
37 Features
25 Overall
32
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2013
(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
- Revealed July 2011

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic LS5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ-15 was unveiled 24 months after the LS5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-15 matches up against the LS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-15 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery & Panasonic LS5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic LS5
SZ-15 | LS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 24 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus SZ-15
LS5 | SZ-15 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic LS5
SZ-15 | LS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 features outside dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic LS5 has specifications of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic LS5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-15 versus the LS5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and LS5 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and LS5.
All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-15 to give you extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SZ-15 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2011-07-21 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/2.8-6.5 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 4.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | AVI MPEG4, 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 | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 250g (0.55 lbs) | 126g (0.28 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 160 photos |
Battery form | - | AA |
Battery model | SLB-10A | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $200 | $294 |