Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic G5

Let's look a little more closely at the Olympus SP-100 versus Panasonic G5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the G5 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and G5 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SP-100 was revealed 19 months after the G5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the SP-100 grades against the G5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SP-100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-100 Gallery and Panasonic G5 Gallery.

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SP-100 enjoys outer dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") having a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Panasonic G5 has specifications of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-100 versus Panasonic G5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-100 and the G5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-100 and G5 is 63 and 74 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-100 and G5.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The SP-100 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder. The fresher SP-100 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.