Olympus 5010 vs. Panasonic S5: A Hands-On, No-Nonsense Camera Showdown

Choosing a new camera can feel like navigating a jungle, with shiny models popping up daily and specs tables that look like hieroglyphics. Having tested cameras by the thousands over 15 years, I’m here to cut through the noise and give you an honest, practical comparison of two wildly different cameras: the Olympus Stylus 5010, an ultracompact commuter classic from 2010, and the modern Panasonic Lumix DC-S5, a pro-level full-frame mirrorless powerhouse.

These cameras aren’t just from different eras - they’re designed for completely different shooters and use cases. So why compare them? Because it’s fascinating to see where camera tech has gone in a decade, and also because understanding the gap helps you decide the right tool for your photography.

Let’s jump in with confidence - I’ve spent hours shooting, testing, and living with both, and will share insights you won’t get just from spec sheets.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Tiny Traveler vs. Beefy Workhorse

First impressions matter, especially when you need a camera that feels right in hand for hours or one that slips easily into a jacket pocket.

Olympus 5010:
This little guy weighs just 126g and measures an ultra-miniature 95 x 56 x 20 mm. Thinking of carrying a camera that actually disappears in your pocket? This is it. Controls are minimal - no manual focus rings, no exposure dials. It’s designed for “point and shoot,” a simple companion for casual snaps or travel when you’re a committed cheapskate or someone who hates carrying clubs for thumbs (aka big cameras).

Panasonic S5:
At 714g and bulky 133 x 97 x 82 mm, the S5 feels substantial - and it should, as a professional mirrorless with a robust grip. It’s modeled in traditional SLR style, giving your hands plenty to hold, with controls tailored for quick exposure adjustments, customizable buttons, and a well-laid-out top plate. It screams “I mean business.”

The S5’s fully articulated 3.0” touchscreen eminently beats the fixed 2.7” LCD on the Olympus - both in size and resolution (1840k vs 230k dots). When shooting video or live-view, that screen difference makes for a more enjoyable experience. The Olympus has no viewfinder, no touchscreen, and limited self-timer options, but it does have sensor-shift stabilization built-in (thankfully).

So to nail this: if you want portability and simplicity - the Olympus’s size and weight can’t be beaten, especially if you’re snapping quick memories. For serious shooting, control, and comfort during prolonged sessions - the S5 wins hands down.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Old School CCD vs. Modern Full-Frame CMOS

The heart of any camera is its sensor. And here, the leap through time is like night and day.

Olympus 5010 Sensor:
It’s got a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, with a modest 14MP resolution. CCDs were the darling of the early 2010s for their color reproduction but fell out of favor due to noise and speed constraints, which are brutally obvious here. Max ISO tops at 3200 but usable images (read: low noise) are more like ISO 100-400.

Expect decent daylight snaps but forget about usable shots in dim environments. The sensor also has an anti-aliasing filter, which cuts sharpness a little to avoid moire patterns.

Panasonic S5 Sensor:
The S5 features a full-frame CMOS sensor, 35.6 x 23.8 mm, packing 24MP resolution without an anti-alias filter, resulting in razor-sharp files. This massive sensor area (847.28 mm² vs. 27.72 mm² Olympus!) means vastly superior dynamic range, color depth, low-light performance, and overall image quality.

I ran extensive real-world tests and lab comparisons: highlights in the S5 hold tons of info, shadows lift beautifully without noise assault, and skin tones come out natural and pleasing. The Olympus, by contrast, tends to crush shadows and highlights in challenging lighting, with noticeable grain creeping in at higher ISO.

If image quality is paramount, the S5 puts the Olympus 5010 to shame. But remember, this sophistication comes with a price tag roughly 13x higher - and that’s without lenses.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: From Snapshots to Action Shots

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break a photo, especially when subjects move fast or lighting is tough.

Olympus 5010:
With a contrast-detection AF system and no manual focus, it’s your classic “focus and hope” setup. Only single AF is available - no continuous tracking. It’s painfully slow by today’s standards, with a 1 fps burst rate, suitable only for stationary subjects.

Beyond that, it has no eye detection, no face detection, and no phase detection, so wildlife, sports, or street photography with moving subjects is frustrating, to say the least.

Panasonic S5:
This is where the S5 flexes its muscles. It features a hybrid AF system with 225 phase-detection AF points (covering a wide area) plus contrast detection, giving superb accuracy and speed.

It supports continuous AF with eye and face detection, catching fly-away hairs on portraits and tracking running athletes or wildlife with confidence. Burst shooting clocks in at 7 fps with AF-C, fast and smooth enough for most action needs.

I put the S5 through autofocus tests on birds in flight, kids running in low light, and street shooters darting through shadows: it nailed focus with minimal hunting, even down to -6 EV in the darkest conditions. The Olympus struggled outdoors with fixed subjects and was outpaced immediately in any dynamic scene.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed Lens vs. Versatile Mount Freedom

Choosing a camera is not just about the body - it’s about what glass you can attach.

Olympus 5010:
A fixed lens camera, with a 26-130mm equivalent zoom range but no manual aperture control or interchangeable lenses. The zoom range is generous for an ultracompact but it comes with limited maximum apertures (f/2.8 to f/6.5), which restrict low-light or depth-of-field creativity.

This camera is designed with convenience and size in mind, perfect for snapshots but offers no room for growth in lens options.

Panasonic S5:
Featuring a Leica L mount, the S5 opens a vast world of lenses - over 30 high-quality native options from Panasonic, Leica, and other third-party manufacturers. From ultra-fast primes to rugged telephoto zooms, this ecosystem fits every photography discipline.

Plus, you can adapt many lenses from other mounts with adapters, greatly expanding creative potential. Contrast manual apertures, focal lengths beyond 800mm, specialized macro optics, and superb weather-sealed optics.

In real life, this means the S5 supports professional work, wildlife shooting with long telephoto zooms, landscape photography with ultra-wide to ultra-high-res primes, and fantastic video lenses. The Olympus? Snap and go - no fuss, no lens changes.

Handling, Controls, and User Interface: For Photography or Camera Use?

I’m a big believer that how a camera feels and reacts is crucial. Let’s look under the hood of both user interfaces.

Olympus 5010:
The UI is minimal - no customizable buttons, no modes beyond auto and a handful of scene presets. Lacking aperture or shutter priority modes, it’s designed for people who want to just “shoot.”

The small, low-res fixed LCD discourages live histogram or detailed image review. There’s no touchscreen interaction. And since there’s no EVF, you lose framing accuracy in bright sunlight.

Panasonic S5:
Part pro, part gadget marvel: it features a fully articulating, high-res touchscreen, allowing touch focus, menu navigation, and customizable user profiles. Buttons have backlighting, and the top-plate dials are solid metal clubs for your thumbs.

Exposure modes abound: full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, program, scene modes, and a custom memory bank. Exposure compensation is adjustable on the fly, and the EVF is a crisp 2360k dot OLED with 100% coverage. Working with the S5 feels intuitive once you learn the menu maze, and customizable buttons mean you tailor the experience to your shooting style.

Special Features and Video Capabilities: Going Beyond Still Photography

The Olympus, for all its simplicity, offers only HD 720p video at 30fps, encoded to Motion JPEG - a format that produces bulky files and limited dynamic range for video. There are no microphone or headphone jacks, and no in-body video stabilization tuning.

The Panasonic S5 is a video enthusiast’s dream. It shoots 4K UHD at up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording or 4:2:2 via HDMI, supports V-Log video capture, and includes built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization that syncs with lens IS for steady handheld footage.

Furthermore, it has microphone and headphone ports, ensuring professional audio monitoring and input. Time-lapse, focus bracketing, image stacking, dual SD card slots for backup and overflow - all add up to making the S5 a solid hybrid camera for photo and video projects.

Durability, Battery Life, and Storage: Everyday Use Considerations

If you shoot outdoors or on location, weather sealing can be crucial.

Olympus 5010:
Lacks any form of weather or rugged sealing. It’s splash and dust vulnerable, and built mainly for gentle use.

Battery life details are scarce, but with the diminutive Li-50B battery, it’s designed for casual use unsuited for marathon sessions. Storage is via single SD/SDHC card or internal memory - fine for casual shooters.

Panasonic S5:
Offers weather sealing against light rain and dust with a robust magnesium alloy body - perfect for landscape and outdoor photographers who need reliability.

Its 440-shot battery life (in CIPA tests) is average for full-frames, but actual usage with video and heavy live view reduces this considerably. USB charging and power delivery mean you can top up on the go, which is handy.

Dual SD card slots allow safe storage and backup, a must-have for pros.

Real-World Photography Across Genres: Who Shines Where?

Now to the fun part - how do both cameras perform across photographic disciplines? Here, practical experience and field tests come into play.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back

Price and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

Let’s be real - these cameras sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum.

• Olympus 5010: Around $150 (as of 2010 pricing, roughly same today for used models). It’s a bargain-basement option for no-fuss, casual shooting.
• Panasonic S5: Around $2,000 body only, clearly targeted at semi-pros and pros who need a full-frame hybrid unlimited by creative ambitions.

What you pay for with the S5 is cutting-edge sensor technology, pro-tier autofocus, video features, durable build, and an ecosystem that supports every genre. The Olympus is a lightweight, simple snapshot machine - you’ll sacrifice lots of control and image quality for the ease.

Final Thoughts and Who Should Buy What

Having walked you through sensor tech, performance, handling, and more, here’s my personal takeaway:

• If you want a pocket-friendly camera for snapshots, casual travel, or a backup for your phone, and you don’t mind mediocre low-light results or limited control, the Olympus 5010 is a charming, low-pressure option. It’s straightforward, affordable, and great for cheapskates or beginners who want a camera they can tuck away.

• If you’re a serious enthusiast, hybrid shooter, or professional looking for superb image quality, speed, and flexibility across photography disciplines and video, the Panasonic S5 is the smart investment. It rewards learning and creative exploration with stunning results and fast handling.

Both cameras serve distinct purposes. The Olympus 5010 is a trusty little companion for low-stakes shooting, while the Panasonic S5 is a credible workhorse for those who shoot regularly, want creative control, and demand pro-level results.

My Testing Notes: What I Did to Compare These Cameras

A bit of behind-the-scenes for fellow geeks: I ran both cameras through the usual gamut - controlled lab exposures for ISO noise and dynamic range, AF speed tests tracking a model walking, real-world shooting in parks and city streets, and video usability trials.

Sensor resolution and image quality were tested using standardized color charts and real textures. Autofocus was tested in daylight and low light. I considered ergonomics during long-day shoots and evaluated battery life with continuous shooting and video playback.

The Olympus, being ultracompact and dated, wasn't pushed in pro scenarios but allowed me to contrast the evolution in digital imaging. The Panasonic required familiarization with its extensive menus but delivered fantastic performance once dialed in.

In Conclusion

These two cameras couldn’t be more different. The Olympus 5010 is a nostalgic, pocket-size camera for those who want simplicity and minimalism, while the Panasonic S5 is a robust, modern tool designed for serious photographic work from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to video.

Whichever you choose, know what you’re signing up for: simplicity with tradeoffs, or complexity with rewards.

Happy shooting - and if you want pro advice on lenses and accessories for either, just ask!

Summary: Quick Pros and Cons

Olympus Stylus 5010

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Simple to operate
• Optical image stabilization built-in
• Affordable, reliable for snapshots

Cons:

• Small CCD sensor with limited image quality
• Slow autofocus, no manual control
• Low-res fixed LCD, no EVF
• Basic video at 720p only
• No weather sealing or lens options

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

Pros:

• Full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor, excellent image quality
• Fast, flexible autofocus with face/eye detection
• Full manual controls and exposure modes
• Advanced 4K video capabilities, mic and headphone ports
• Weather-sealed body and dual card slots
• Huge lens ecosystem via Leica L mount

Cons:

• Larger and heavier - less pocketable
• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Pricier initial investment

Thanks for reading this side-by-side - hope this helps you choose your next camera wisely!