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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Other Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF6
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GF5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the 550WP (1/2.3") and GF5 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The 550WP was unveiled 4 years earlier than the GF5 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the 550WP matches up versus the GF5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic GF5

 550WP GF5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus 550WP

 GF5 550WP 
IntroducedApril 2012January 2009Newer by 39 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GF5

 550WP GF5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus 550WP has outer dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic GF5 has specifications of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GF5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the 550WP and the GF5.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and GF5 is 94 and 89 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 550WP and GF5.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 550WP having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic GF5 will produce more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged 550WP will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus 550WP
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP Street photography information
Panasonic GF5 Street photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has touch focus
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP Sports photography factors
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography factors
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Travel photography highlights
55
weather proofing
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
has touch focus
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography info
Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography info
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
59
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging factors
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging factors
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
32
touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Also called mju 550WP -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-01-07 2012-04-05
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 7cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 267 grams (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.0
DXO Low light score not tested 573
Other
Battery life - 360 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $399 $600