Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5
75 Imaging
43 Features
20 Overall
33


88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
- Introduced March 2004
- Successor is Epson R-D1x
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Announced September 2012

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Epson R-D1 versus Olympus E-PL5, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Epson and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and E-PL5 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

The R-D1 was manufactured 9 years before the E-PL5 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the R-D1 matches up vs the E-PL5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Epson R-D1 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The entire galleries are viewable at Epson R-D1 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Olympus E-PL5
R-D1 | E-PL5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Epson R-D1
E-PL5 | R-D1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2012 | ![]() | March 2004 | Fresher by 103 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2" | Bigger screen (+1") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 235k | Crisper screen (+225k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL5
R-D1 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing |
Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Epson R-D1 enjoys outside dimensions of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL5 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).
Check the Epson R-D1 versus Olympus E-PL5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the R-D1 compared to the E-PL5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the R-D1 and E-PL5 is 75 and 88 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the R-D1 and E-PL5.
To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The R-D1 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older R-D1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Epson R-D1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Epson | Olympus |
Model type | Epson R-D1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2004-03-11 | 2012-09-17 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.6mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.7mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Full resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 59 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 235 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 1 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/250 secs |
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) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 620 gr (1.37 pounds) | 325 gr (0.72 pounds) |
Dimensions | 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 889 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 360 photos |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLS-5 |
Self timer | No | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $1,709 | $400 |