Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic LX5

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic LX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is relatively close but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and LX5 (1/1.63") offer totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The XZ-2 iHS was announced 13 months after the LX5 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up vs the LX5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus XZ-2 iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery & Panasonic LX5 Gallery.

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS offers outer dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) and the Panasonic LX5 has dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic LX5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the XZ-2 iHS compared to the LX5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and LX5 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Quite often, its tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the XZ-2 iHS and LX5.

Clearly, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The XZ-2 iHS with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will render more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.