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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Announced December 2012
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is very similar but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and LS5 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The XZ-2 iHS was released 18 months after the LS5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the XZ-2 iHS grades vs the LS5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Panasonic LS5

 XZ-2 iHS LS5 
ReleasedDecember 2012July 2011Newer by 18 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 LS5 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic LS5

 XZ-2 iHS LS5 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS features exterior dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LS5 has specifications of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the XZ-2 iHS against the LS5.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-2 iHS and LS5 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The image here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XZ-2 iHS and LS5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The XZ-2 iHS due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Panasonic LS5 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
33
good MP (14MP)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic LS5
66
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than others in class (346 grams)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography information
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography information
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
good battery power (340 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (160 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography highlights
61
good battery power (340 CIPA)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (346 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (160 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography information
55
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
good battery power (340 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse function
36
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery pack (160 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic LS5
36
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (346g)
32
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-12-18 2011-07-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 346 gr (0.76 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 160 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID Li-90B 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $450 $294