Clicky

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released January 2011
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Launched December 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX7
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic LX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-1 (10MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is relatively comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/1.63").

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The XZ-1 was unveiled 10 months earlier than the LX5 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the XZ-1 scores versus the LX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Panasonic LX5

 XZ-1 LX5 
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus XZ-1

 LX5 XZ-1 
LaunchedDecember 2011January 2011More modern by 10 months

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic LX5

 XZ-1 LX5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-1 offers outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Panasonic LX5 has specifications of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic LX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the XZ-1 vs the LX5.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and LX5 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The pic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-1 and LX5.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you should really consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged XZ-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography information
45
you can focus manually
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
41
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Street photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than competitors (275 grams)
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (271 grams)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography advice
38
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (320 shots)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography factors
62
better than average battery pack (320 shots)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (275g)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (271g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography features
54
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (320 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.63")
lack of Timelapse recording
52
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
does not have Timelapse mode
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging factors
31
relatively wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (275 grams)
29
rather wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (271 grams)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus XZ-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus XZ-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-26 2011-12-15
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3664 x 2752 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.5 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 7.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 275 gr (0.61 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 34 41
DXO Color Depth rating 18.8 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.8
DXO Low light rating 117 132
Other
Battery life 320 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $567 $294