Olympus Stylus 1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

In the crowded world of small sensor cameras, a few models stand out for their blend of portability, zoom range, and user-friendly features. Today, I'll be putting two such cameras under the microscope: the Olympus Stylus 1 (hereafter “Olympus 1”) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 (“Panasonic F5”). Both were announced around 2013 and cater primarily to enthusiasts needing versatile zoom capabilities without hauling a bulky DSLR kit.

This comparison isn't just about specs - having tested both cameras extensively, I’ll share hands-on insights that reveal their real-world strengths and limitations, across a wide spectrum of photography genres from portraits to landscapes, and even video. Whether you're after a capable travel companion or a pocket-friendly all-rounder, read on to find which one suits your style and budget better.

Getting a Feel for Physicality: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

First impressions count - especially when carrying a camera all day. Physically, these two cameras couldn’t be more different.

The Olympus 1 is a “bridge” style camera, borrowing the heft and grip shape of a DSLR with a beefy 402-gram body. This SLR-like form factor lends itself to better handling, especially with its intricately designed grip that feels secure under the fingers. The build is solid but not weather sealed, something to keep in mind if you shoot outdoors often.

In contrast, the Panasonic F5 embraces ultra-compactness, clocking at a mere 121 grams and sporting a slim profile (97x58x22 mm). This one truly fits in a jacket pocket or a small purse without complaint. However, that size comes with a trade-off: the absence of a dedicated viewfinder and minimal tactile controls.

If you prize ease of handling, longer shooting sessions, and physical dials that reward haptic memory, the Olympus will please you more. If ultra-portability and absolute discreteness trump advanced control, Panasonic’s design wins.

Control Layout and Usability: Who’s the Boss Behind the Buttons?

Picking up a camera is an intimate experience - the layout of buttons, dials, and screens can either invite creativity or frustrate it.

The Olympus 1 sports an impressively well-thought-out top panel. Dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation provide quick manual control, a feature often lacking in this class. A 3-inch tilting touchscreen aids composition from tricky angles, while an excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440 resolution gives that mirrorless-like real-time preview and eye-level stability when shooting in bright light. AF is touch-enabled, adding yet another intuitive way to focus.

The Panasonic F5 strips controls to the minimum, reflective of its compact DNA. It lacks manual focus rings or aperture/shutter dials. The screen is smaller (2.7 inches) with just 230k dots resolution and is fixed rather than tilting. There’s no viewfinder at all, so composing outdoors in direct sunlight can be challenging. Touch control is also absent.

For experienced shooters who value tactile feedback and manual overrides - especially when shooting fast-paced subjects or adjusting settings on the fly - Olympus’s interface stands miles ahead. Panasonic’s minimalism may work for absolute beginners or casual shooters who want to point and shoot with minimal fuss.

Sensor Saga: The Heart of Image Quality

Let’s get to the core - the sensor. Both cameras feature small-ish sensors, but their specs and technology vary meaningfully, impacting image quality significantly.

The Olympus 1 uses a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, covering ~41.5 mm², with 12MP resolution. The back-side illumination (BSI) technology boosts light-gathering efficiency, important for better noise control and dynamic range in this sensor class. Olympus applies its TruePic VI image processor - a mature chip known for good color reproduction and noise reduction.

The Panasonic F5 opts for a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (~27.7 mm²) at 14MP. While boasting slightly higher resolution, CCD sensors typically lag behind CMOS in speed and high ISO noise performance. Additionally, Panasonic’s older internal processing and JPEG-only workflow (no RAW capture) limit post-processing flexibility.

DXO Mark rates Olympus 1 with respectable scores for color depth (20.7 bits), dynamic range (11.6 EV), and low-light ISO (effective usable ISO ~179), while Panasonic’s sensor wasn’t tested by DXO (probably due to age and low-end target market). From my hands-on experience, Olympus produces images with more depth, richer colors, and better shadow recovery - crucial for landscapes and portraits alike.

In summary, for photographers who require robust image quality and editing latitude, Olympus 1’s sensor system is the clear winner.

LCD and Viewfinder: How Do We See Our Subject?

Some photographers swear by eye-level viewfinders, others by live viewscreens. Both cameras reflect their design ethos and price.

Olympus 1’s tilting 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k dots is a massive upgrade over Panasonic’s fixed 2.7-inch screen with just 230k dots. This matters in bright environments and for shooting creative angles. Being able to tilt the screen lets you shoot over crowds or low to the ground without neck pain.

Then there’s the EVF - Olympus equips its camera with a sharp electronic viewfinder. This is a game changer in bright sun and for stabilizing the camera at eye level, especially helpful in wildlife and sports photography (more on that soon). Panasonic F5 has no EVF, relying solely on its LCD, making outdoor shooting less flexible.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Versatility or Simplicity?

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses - a convenience factor over interchangeable lenses but with trade-offs in optical quality and aperture.

The Olympus Stylus 1 sports an impressive 28-300mm equivalent zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the range. “Constant” here means no matter how long you zoom in, the maximum aperture remains at f/2.8, allowing better low-light shooting and subject isolation - a rarity in superzoom compacts.

The Panasonic F5 offers 28-140mm equivalent, a more modest 5x zoom, with variable aperture from f/3.2 at wide to f/6.5 at tele. That translates to less light gathering potential at full zoom, affecting autofocus speed and image quality in dim conditions.

The Olympus lens also incorporates optical image stabilization, critical at telephoto ranges to combat shake, while Panasonic F5 lacks any in-body or lens stabilization. The result: Olympus gives you more reach, better subject separation, and sharper shots in low light.

Autofocus and Burst Speed: Catching the Moment

For dynamic photography like wildlife or sports, speed and accuracy matter most - but these bridge cameras have their limits.

Olympus 1 offers a contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points, face detection, and touch AF. Continuous autofocus modes and tracking work reasonably well but aren’t quite DSLR-speed. Still, it impressed me compared to peers with snappier focus on moving subjects.

Panasonic F5 uses a basic contrast-detection system with no face or eye detection and unspecified AF points. In practice, I found it slower and less reliable, especially in low contrast scenes or telephoto.

Olympus 1's burst rate of 7 fps is respectable for the class, letting you capture action sequences effectively. Panasonic’s 1 fps continuous shooting is more a casual snapshot mode.

If your photography leans toward wildlife, sports, or kids in motion, Olympus offers the better toolkit.

Image Stabilization: Sharpen Your Shots, Not Your Wrists

Olympus includes optical image stabilization (OIS), which noticeably helps especially at longer focal lengths and slower shutter speeds. This results in sharper images handheld.

Panasonic does not offer any stabilization - a significant downside for zoom shots or low-light handheld shooting.

For travel or casual use, Olympus’s OIS provides more confidence, preventing blurred images without a tripod.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills?

Neither camera is a video powerhouse, but how do they compare?

Olympus 1 records full HD video at 1080p/30fps in MPEG-4 and H.264, with decent autofocus during recording. It also offers slowed down footage at lower resolutions (up to 240fps in VGA size) for some slow-motion fun.

Panasonic F5 stalls at HD 720p/30fps, and records in Motion JPEG, which is less efficient and produces larger files. No microphone or headphone ports on either camera limit external audio control.

Neither camera supports 4K, so for serious video users, neither satisfy - though Olympus offers slightly better quality and versatility.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Olympus 1 uses a rechargeable BLS-5 battery rated for about 410 shots per charge, comfortably above average for its category. It stores images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.

Panasonic’s battery is smaller with only about 250 shots per charge. It also uses SD cards and accepts internal storage - convenient for instant backups but often small and slow.

For day-long shoots, Olympus’s endurance advantage matters.

Price and Value: What’s the Damage?

Initially, Olympus was priced around $700 while Panasonic F5 retailed near $100. Even accounting for inflation and secondhand market changes, this gap is enormous.

Does the extra cost justify Olympus’s vastly superior specs, better lens, advanced controls, and image quality? For serious photographers - absolutely.

However, casual users or those on a strict budget might find Panasonic a compelling pocket snapshot camera.

Diving Into Practical Photography Disciplines

How do these cameras perform on different photographic battlegrounds?

Portraits

• Olympus 1’s wide f/2.8 lens enables better subject isolation with creamier bokeh even at telephoto lengths, essential for flattering skin tones.
• Its face detection autofocus quickly locks on, making portraits crisp and well-exposed.
• Panasonic struggles here: variable aperture limits depth-of-field control and no face detection slows AF.

Landscapes

• Olympus’s larger sensor, better dynamic range, and raw file support enable detailed, rich landscapes with balanced highlights and shadows.
• The constant lens sharpness from 28-300 mm adds versatility.
• Panasonic’s smaller sensor and JPEG-only output limit post-processing tweaks and dynamic range.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus autofocus tracking, burst speed, and OIS make it possible to freeze action or capture birds.
• Panasonic’s slow autofocus and 1 fps burst are limiting.
• Olympus’s longer reach zoom is a major plus.

Street Photography

• Panasonic’s compact, discreet body is ideal for inconspicuous street shooting.
• Olympus is bulkier and more “camera-like,” potentially attracting more attention.
• However, Olympus’s EVF aids shooting quickly in bright cityscapes.

Macro

• Both cameras have similar macro focusing down to 5 cm.
• Olympus benefits from image stabilization and manual focus options, better for precision.

Night and Astro

• Olympus’s BSI sensor and high ISO performance allow better low-light photos.
• Olympus’s shutter speeds extend to 60s manually, great for static night scenes.
• Panasonic’s limited ISO (max 6400) and older technology struggle here.

Video

• Olympus 1080p + slow motion delivers more creative options.
• Panasonic is limited to 720p with no audio inputs.

Travel

• If size and weight are paramount, Panasonic is unbeatable.
• For versatile travel without a DSLR, Olympus offers more flexibility.

Professional Work

• Olympus RAW support, exposure modes, and robust manual controls integrate better into pro workflows.
• Panasonic’s simpler JPEG-only files and lack of manual exposure limit professional usage.

Summing It Up: The Verdict for Different Users

• Enthusiasts and Pros: Olympus 1’s advanced features, lens quality, and image flexibility make it the preferred choice.
• Casual Users or Beginners: Panasonic F5 is a no-frills compact ideal for snapshots and travel where pocketability is all that matters.
• Travel Photographers: Olympus 1 balances zoom reach and quality but at a size cost. Panasonic F5 wins in sheer convenience and lightness.
• Video Shooters: Olympus’s 1080p option is better, though neither excels for videographers.

Final Thoughts: Experience Over Specs - or Both?

Between these two small sensor cameras, the Olympus Stylus 1 confidently outperforms the Panasonic Lumix F5 in almost every technical and creative category I tested. From the sensor quality and zoom to autofocus and ergonomics, Olympus was designed for photographers who want more control and image quality from an all-in-one camera. The luxury of a bright f/2.8 zoom alone gives it a lasting edge.

That said, size-conscious photographers and casual shooters will appreciate Panasonic’s simplicity and near-pocket dimensions, delivering surprisingly decent results for the sub-$100 price point (especially when found refurbished or on sale). Just don’t expect to push it too far creatively.

If you ask me - as someone who’s balanced the scales between portability and performance for over 15 years - the Olympus Stylus 1 is a remarkable bridge camera still worth considering for enthusiast use, while the Panasonic Lumix F5 serves a very different audience: the ultra-budget, casual point-and-shoot user.

Whatever your photographic needs, I hope this comparison sheds light on which small sensor superzoom camera gets you shooting your best images with fewer compromises.

Sample Shootout: Olympus 1 vs Panasonic F5 Images

To really get a feel for their output, here are a series of sample images from both cameras - from portraits to landscapes and wildlife.

Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back Panasonic F5 front Panasonic F5 screen back

Check for detail preservation, sharpness, depth-of-field effect, and color rendition - the differences align with sensor and lens disparities described.

In summary: When considering a camera in this small sensor superzoom category, Olympus Stylus 1 delivers serious photographic muscle with flexibility, while the Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 offers lightweight convenience and budget-friendly simplicity. Both have their place, but they cater to very distinct needs.

Happy shooting - and may your next photos be your best yet!