Olympus 5010 vs Panasonic LX3

Below is a extended review of the Olympus 5010 and Panasonic LX3, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the 5010 (14MP) and LX3 (10MP) and the 5010 (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The 5010 was announced 15 months later than the LX3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus 5010 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 5010 scores vs the LX3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus 5010 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus 5010 Gallery and Panasonic LX3 Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus 5010 offers exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus 5010 and Panasonic LX3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the 5010 and the LX3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 5010 and LX3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Generally, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 5010 and LX3.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 5010 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Olympus 5010 will give you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger 5010 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.