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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
75
Imaging
43
Features
20
Overall
33
Epson R-D1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(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
Olympus E-PL5
(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
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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.

Photography Glossary

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.

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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 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012March 2004Fresher by 103 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution460k235kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
49
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Epson R-D1 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
55
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (620g)
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Epson R-D1 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography features
29
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no liveview feature
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
no phase detect AF
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
38
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (620 grams)
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
75
includes focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
no Time Lapse mode
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
78
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL5
 Epson R-D1Olympus 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