Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6 vs Olympus FE-5000 Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6
Olympus FE-5000
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6 and Olympus FE-5000 are two cameras that should just about fit into a pocket. In terms of price there are only a few pounds difference at the time of writing this comparison report.
Basic Specification
Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6
8 megapixels
4x optical zoom
2.5 inch LCD screen
Macro focusing 5cm
Olympus FE-5000
10 megapixels
5x optical zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Macro focusing 3cm
Features
Looking at the basic specifications the FE-5000 has the edge in all areas. Both cameras allow for large enough prints, but any extra zoom can be handy, as can the larger LCD screen.
Once you start to explore the two cameras further you will find the Lumix DMC FS6 has a surprisingly large number of features for a camera in this price bracket. This includes a feature called extra zoom. This allows you to increase the amount of zoom available to 6.4x when shooting at low resolutions. You can also shoot widescreen movies and there are further options for continuous (rapid) shooting.
Design
For review I have black models of the two cameras and they look very similar indeed. So there is very little to choose between the two cameras when it comes to design.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
The Olympus FE-5000 has an edge for single photos when flash is off (0.32 seconds vs 0.4 seconds), but the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6 is a lot quicker if you are firing off a number of shots. Both cameras are slower than standard to turn on and take the first photo, with very little difference between the two cameras in this respect (3.98 vs 3.82 seconds).
Power Supply
Both cameras use lithium ion batteries.
Picture Quality
I think there is a difference between the two cameras when it comes to picture quality with the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6 having the edge. This is mainly owing to the clarity of the photos. The FS6 seems to offer greater clarity. This is more noticeable on larger prints. If all you are planning is small snapshots of 6 x 4 inches or 7 x 5 inches you are unlikely to notice a great deal of difference in picture quality.
Ease of Use
The layout of the buttons on the back and top of both cameras is similar. One of the biggest differences is that zoom is controlled on the Lumix DMC FS6 by the use of a ring on the top of the camera while zoom on the FE-5000 is controlled through push buttons on the back of the camera. Both cameras give you fast access to main functions as well as access to the more in depth menu.
The way the menu system is setup for both cameras is quite difference. Press the menu button on the Lumix DMC FS6 and you have immediate access to all the menu options. These are spread over three pages and it is a case of scrolling through them. Access to the four page set up menu is in the same place too.
When you press the menu button on the FE-5000 you get a screen with six icons on it. You use these to select the area of the menu you would like to access. The main menu has two pages while the setup menu runs to runs to three pages. This confirms the Lumix DMC FS6 has a few additional features.
Verdict
If it was my money I would go with the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6. In my view the picture quality is the clincher, but I also like the extra features this camera has. Looking at the price and design of the camera I think it offers very good value for money.
Product Shots
Front View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6
Olympus FE-5000
Back View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6
Olympus FE-5000
Top View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6
Olympus FE-5000
