Olympus Stylus 5010 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Comparison

Choosing the right ultracompact camera can be surprisingly challenging - even for seasoned photographers. When your priority is portability without sacrificing too much on image quality and usability, two contenders from 2010 remain noteworthy: the Olympus Stylus 5010 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3. These cameras offer a glimpse into compact photography's evolution and provide worthy options if you’re browsing the used market or are intrigued by vintage gear gear that balances simplicity with respectable specs.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down these two models across all critical dimensions: design, sensor technology, optics, usability, and real-world performance. We'll also explore how they stack up in various photography genres and workflows so you can clearly see which fits your creative needs best.

Let’s get started!

Looking and Feeling: Ergonomics & Design

Both cameras are categorized as ultracompacts, designed for seamless portability and casual shooting. Here’s how they compare physically:

The Olympus 5010 edges out the Panasonic slightly in weight and a slimmer profile, making it a pocket-friendly companion for travel or street photography. Its minimalist styling is clean but may feel a bit sparse in direct handling comfort.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FP3 delivers a larger screen with touchscreen capability, a big plus for intuitive operation and navigating menus swiftly. While heavier, its slightly beefier grip tends to foster steadier handheld shooting, especially during extended sessions.

Take a look at the top controls and body layout differences here:

Olympus:

• Physical zoom toggle, shutter release with zoom rocker.
• No built-in touchscreen; reliance on physical buttons.
• Compact but with a slightly dated button array.

Panasonic:

• Touch interface reduces button clutter.
• Slight trade-off on tactile feedback but increases accessibility.
• Thoughtful button placements balancing ease of use and screen real estate.

In practice: If you prefer tactile controls and ultra-light gear, Olympus wins. If you want touchscreen flexibility and more interactive menu navigation, Panasonic offers more modern convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality Showdown

Both cameras house a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm with roughly the same sensor area (approx. 27.7 mm²). Each packs a 14-megapixel resolution offering around:

• Olympus: 4288 x 3216 pixels
• Panasonic: 4320 x 3240 pixels

Sensor Type & Imaging Processor

• Olympus utilizes the TruePic III processor.
• Panasonic runs with its Venus Engine IV.

CCD sensors, common in their generation, offer decent color depth and dynamic range but tend to produce more noise at higher ISOs compared to modern CMOS sensors.

ISO Sensitivity

While both start at similar base ISOs, Panasonic’s offering extends to ISO 6400, an advantage on paper for low-light capture - but CCDs tend to degrade quickly beyond ISO 400-800 in real testing. From our controlled lab tests and in-field shooting, both cameras start to show significant noise past ISO 400, limiting their usability in dim environments.

Image Detail & Sharpness

The slightly larger maximum resolution on the FP3 translates to nominally crisper images, but the key determinant was lens quality and stabilization (covered later). The Olympus fared a bit better on edge-to-edge sharpness based on our chart-target shots. Anti-aliasing filters on both limit the microscale detail to minimize moiré, a standard tradeoff.

Dynamic Range

Neither manufacturer publishes official DR figures, but visual tests with high-contrast scenes show the Panasonic FP3 marginally retained more highlight detail, likely due to the Venus engine’s processing and noise management.

Result for Image Quality Lovers:

• Both cameras deliver good color fidelity and respectable detail for everyday snaps.
• Neither excels dramatically in dynamic range or low-light noise.
• The Panasonic offers a slight edge in maximum ISO and highlight retention.
• The Olympus produces marginally sharper images under controlled lighting.

Lens and Optical Performance

The fixed lens optic heavily influences image quality and use case applicability.

The Olympus’s wider 26 mm start allows for more expansive scenes, essential for landscapes or interiors. Its brighter f/2.8 aperture at the wide end helps in low light and creates a shallower depth-of-field for better background blur.

Panasonic starts at 35 mm, a tighter framing suitable for casual portraits or street capture, paired with optical image stabilization (OIS), generally superior in effectiveness to Olympus’s electronic sensor-shift stabilization. This means less blur in low shutter speeds and especially handheld video.

Both cameras lack manual focus, reliant on autofocus systems with multiple selectable zones but no face or eye detection.

Macro performance: Olympus’s 7 cm macro focusing beats Panasonic’s 10 cm minimum distance, granting you tighter close-ups and more creative freedom with texture shots.

Real-World Lens Use:

• Olympus provides a more versatile zoom range starting wider, favored by landscape and architectural shooters.
• Panasonic’s OIS lens pairs well with telephoto framing for stable portraits and casual wildlife snapshots.
• If you prioritize macro or wide-angle shots, Olympus is likely the better partner.
• For all-around imaging with easier handheld capture, Panasonic’s OIS and zoom range hold advantages.

Autofocus and Performance in Action

The Olympus’s autofocus tracking is rudimentary and tends to struggle with moving subjects, suitable primarily for static or slow-moving objects. Panasonic’s lack of tracking but faster burst speed (5 fps vs 1 fps) supports capturing brief action sequences, though autofocus reacquisition speed is a bottleneck.

In our testing:

• Olympus was more hesitant to lock on, especially in low-contrast scenes.
• Panasonic’s touch autofocus allowed quicker subject selection, improving accuracy.
• Neither camera is ideal for fast-paced wildlife or sports photography but will handle casual street and family snapshots well.

User Interface and Display

Both cameras have fixed LCD screens with similar resolution (230K pixels), but Panasonic’s 3-inch display is larger and incorporates touch sensitivity for easier menu navigation and focus selection.

Olympus relies fully on physical buttons and toggle controls which, though less flexible, feel robust and straightforward once you’re accustomed.

Key practical differences:

• Panasonic’s touchscreen enhances usability for beginners and videographers.
• Olympus’s screen is smaller but sufficient for composition and playback.
• Neither offers an electronic viewfinder.
• Both have limited customization and no manual exposure modes.

Video Capture Capabilities

Both cameras offer basic HD video, capped at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p) at 30 frames per second, encoded in Motion JPEG - a format known for large files and lesser compression efficiency compared to modern codecs.

The Panasonic’s combination of optical image stabilization and touch focus makes it more user friendly for casual video capture. Olympus has steady stabilization but no touchscreen assist or smooth focus transitions in video.

Both cameras lack features such as 4K, manual video controls, or external audio inputs, limiting serious videography applications but fine for basic vlogging or home movies.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use proprietary lithium-ion batteries, with published figures absent from manufacturers (typical for ultracompact models of this era), but expect roughly 200-250 shots per charge under average conditions.

Storage options:

• Olympus: SD/SDHC and internal memory.
• Panasonic: SD/SDHC/SDXC and internal memory.

The Panasonic supports SDXC cards, allowing for larger capacity storage, a minor but helpful advantage for extended shooting sessions or higher video storage needs.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproof capabilities, limiting their use in harsh outdoor environments.

Construction is predominantly plastic for both, with Panasonic employing some metal faceplates for reinforcement.

Putting it All Together: Use-Case Evaluation

Let’s now analyze performance across common photography genres and workflow needs.

Real-World Photos Speak Volumes

Let’s consider sample images taken side-by-side under identical conditions.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Panasonic FP3 front Panasonic FP3 screen back

Olympus 5010 samples:

• Crisp daylight shots with vivid but natural colors.
• Macro shots excellent with sharp detail.
• Landscapes show good dynamic range, though shadows crunch in tougher lighting.

Panasonic FP3 samples:

• Images have slightly warmer tone bias.
• Slightly smoother tonal gradations but soft details at telephoto zoom.
• Low-light shots retain more highlights but suffer from noise.

Overall Scores Summarized

Here is an expert performance overview based on our extensive testing and usage:

While Olympus rates slightly higher on sharpness and optical versatility, Panasonic’s touchscreen, optical stabilization, and better burst support keep it competitive.

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Consider the Olympus Stylus 5010 if:

• You prioritize a lighter, pocket-friendlier camera.
• You want the widest possible lens start (26 mm) for landscapes or architecture.
• Macro photography intrigues you.
• You value tactile physical controls over touchscreen.
• Video is a minor concern.
• You want to pay slightly less (around $150 new-equivalent pricing).

Consider the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 if:

• You value a larger, touch-enabled LCD for easier control.
• You want optical image stabilization for steadier handheld images and videos.
• Burst frame rates and quick shooting are important.
• You’re willing to trade off a wider lens for zoom reach and convenience.
• Video capability is more than a curiosity - stabilization and focus aids matter.
• You can stretch your budget somewhat (around $180 new-equivalent pricing).

Final Thoughts and Getting Started

Both the Olympus Stylus 5010 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 represent solid ultracompact digital cameras from 2010, well suited for casual shooters or collectors delving into affordable, lightweight photography rigs.

They share fundamental sensor technologies and basic CCD limitations in low light but differ subtly in usability and optical design.

When you’re embarking on a creative photography journey or hunting for a simple grab-and-go companion, trying each camera in-store or purchasing with a return policy may reveal which feels more intuitive to your shooting style.

Pro tip: Supplementing these cameras with accessories like compact tripods or supplementary macro conversion lenses can meaningfully enhance your creative possibilities.

Choosing your next camera is a blend of art and science, but with a thorough understanding of these two, you’re sure to find a camera that sparks your visual storytelling.

Explore, experiment, and most importantly - capture your world confidently!

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