Nikon D7000 vs. Olympus E-5: An Expert’s Field-Tested Comparison of Two Advanced DSLRs

I’ve spent the better part of my 15-year career diving deep into cameras with diverse sensor sizes, autofocus complexities, and ergonomic designs. When I first got hands-on with the Nikon D7000 and Olympus E-5 - both advanced DSLRs unveiled within months of each other - I knew this would be a fascinating duel. Here’s a detailed look at how these two mid-size SLRs hold up across photography genres, technical performance, and real-world use. Whether you're a keen enthusiast or a seasoned pro, I’ll share what each camera can truly deliver and help you decide which deserves a place in your kit.

The Feel and Control: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics Under the Hood

My initial impressions always start with handling - the camera’s physical relationship to the photographer informs the shooting experience in profound ways. Let me walk you through.

The Nikon D7000 weighs in at 780 grams with dimensions of 132x105x77mm. The Olympus E-5 is slightly heavier at 800 grams and larger at 143x117x75mm. The size difference is noticeable but subtle: the E-5 feels a tad more robust in hand, while the D7000 offers a more compact grip that will appeal to those favoring portability.

Both cameras exhibit impressive build quality, featuring weather sealing that holds up well against dust and moisture - ideal for outdoor shooters. The Nikon’s grip is molded for smaller to average hands; I found the button layout clean but slightly more ‘crowded’ than the E-5’s. Olympus spreads out controls a bit more generously which, combined with its pronounced grip design, suits larger hands or long shooting sessions, reducing fatigue.

On the top deck, the D7000 opts for a classic Nikon arrangement - dual exposure compensation and ISO dials with an easy mode dial lock - good for changing settings instinctively without taking eyes from the viewfinder.

Conversely, the Olympus E-5 uses a more traditional SLR control layout but with a simplified mode dial. It lacks the Nikon’s dedicated ISO dial but offers a handy top LCD panel that provides immediate exposure feedback. Both cameras have fixed 3-inch displays; the Olympus adopts a fully articulated screen with HyperCrystal technology, while the Nikon sticks to a fixed TFT LCD without touch capabilities. We’ll explore their rear interfaces more deeply later.

In terms of handling, I found the Nikon D7000 quicker to operate “on the fly” for street and event shooters who need speed and lightweight convenience. The Olympus E-5, meanwhile, favors those who appreciate a tactile, rugged feel and plan longer shoots in challenging environments.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: When Pixels and Physics Meet

The heart of any camera - and where image quality is mostly born - is its sensor. The Nikon D7000 features a 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.6x15.7mm. Olympus E-5 houses a smaller, 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 17.3x13mm.

The difference in sensor area size - 370.52 mm² for Nikon vs 224.90 mm² for Olympus - is significant. In practical terms, the Nikon can naturally collect more light per pixel, which translates into advantages in dynamic range, low-light capability, and noise performance.

I rely on DxOMark scores augmented by my personal tests. The Nikon D7000 boasts an overall DxO score of 80, with excellent color depth at 23.5 bits, dynamic range peaking at 13.9 EVs, and a respectable low-light ISO rating of 1167. Olympus lags here with a 56 overall score, 21.6 bits color depth, 10.5 EVs dynamic range, and a low-light ISO of 519.

In the field, this data translates to Nikon delivering richer color rendition with smoother gradients and more detail in shadows and highlights - a crucial advantage in landscape, portrait, and even astrophotography. The Olympus sensor, while smaller and lower resolution (12MP max resolution 4032x3024 vs Nikon’s 4928x3264), still renders pleasing images, particularly when leveraging its unique 4:3 aspect ratio native to the system.

Viewing and User Interface: Finding Your Perfect Visual Alignment

What’s the point of a great sensor if the viewing experience doesn’t keep pace?

The Nikon D7000’s viewfinder employs a pentaprism with 0.64x magnification and 100% coverage - excellent for composing precise shots with a bright, sharp view. The Olympus E-5 also features an optical pentaprism viewfinder but with slightly lower magnification at 0.58x, still covering 100% field.

Both viewfinders serve well for outdoor and action photography, but the Nikon’s higher magnification makes focusing and detail evaluation easier during critical portrait or macro setups.

On the back, the Nikon has a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k dot resolution. The Olympus opts for a similarly sized 3-inch, fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD with 920k dots. The articulation opens creative composition angles - great for macro and video work.

Without touch control on either body, navigating menus relies on physical buttons and dials. Nikon’s menu system is straightforward and familiar to anyone used to DSLR layouts, while Olympus’s intuitive menus compensate for fewer control buttons. Both cameras feature illuminated buttons for low-light operation, albeit neither offers touchscreen convenience.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking Fast-Moving Moments

For my wildlife, sports, and street photography clients, autofocus performance and frame rates are paramount.

The Nikon D7000 features a 39-point autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors - a robust configuration at its launch period, later improved in successors. It supports continuous AF, face detection, and subject tracking, providing reliable initial locks and persistence even with erratic subjects.

Olympus, in contrast, has an 11-point AF system, all cross-type, but lacks sustained tracking functionality. It supports face detection and contrast-detection AF in Live View but is tougher to rely on for fast-paced action.

Burst shooting speeds underscore this difference: Nikon offers 6 frames per second (fps), while Olympus tops out at 5 fps. For events like sports or wildlife, this 1 fps margin and better AF tracking give Nikon a notable edge.

With extensive testing under variable lighting, Nikon’s AF handles low-light scenarios better and refocuses quickly - essential when shooting indoors or at dusk. Olympus copes well when lighting is bright but shows hunting tendencies in dimmers.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Systems Matter

While body specs are critical, no camera exists in isolation. What lenses can you pair to harness their full potential?

The Nikon D7000 uses the venerable Nikon F-mount with a focusing multiplier of 1.5x. This system affords compatibility with a staggering 309 lenses - ranging from primes optimized for portraiture to ultra telephotos for wildlife, plus emerging mirrorless adaptors. The vast, mature lens ecosystem is a major selling point.

The Olympus E-5 employs the Micro Four Thirds system with a 2.1x crop factor - smaller sensor equals smaller lenses but also more constrained native options, with about 45 lenses available during the E-5 era. Micro Four Thirds is known for compact, lightweight prisms and zooms but lacks the breadth for ultra specialized or super high-speed lenses.

Lens availability impacts genres: Nikon has premium fast 85mm or 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses ideal for portraits and sports, whereas Olympus’s format favors portability and macro lenses but lacks top-end telephoto breadth.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

Both cameras claim environmental sealing, which I tested with controlled fog, light rain, and dusty conditions. The Olympus E-5’s more robust, magnesium-alloy construction with extensive sealing earns it slightly higher marks for serious outdoor use. Olympus also has focused on ruggedness, making the E-5 an attractive companion for adventure and wildlife photographers.

The Nikon D7000 is also well-built for tough conditions but feels less ‘tank-like’, fitting better for those who prefer a balance of durability and lighter weight.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Practical usage demands stamina. The Nikon D7000 uses the EN-EL15 battery model, rated for an impressive 1050 shots per charge - ideal for extended shoots and travel. The Olympus BLM-5 battery offers fewer shots, rated around 870.

Both cameras feature dual card slots, with Nikon supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC, and Olympus offering a dual option of CompactFlash plus SD cards. The Nikon’s exclusive SD approach is more modern, while Olympus’s dual slot gives flexibility, especially for professionals backing up critical shots.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures and Audio Inputs

While both cameras target still photography, video remains relevant.

Nikon’s D7000 shoots Full HD 1080p at 24fps with options for 720p and 424p at various frame rates. It records in MPEG-4/H.264 formats and offers a microphone input, delivering superior video control for semi-pro filmmaking or event videography.

Olympus lags with 720p recording at 30fps, using Motion JPEG codec - a format less efficient and with larger files. It also includes a microphone input for external sound recording but lacks advanced video options.

If video is a secondary consideration, Nikon’s superior resolution, compression, and bitrate translate to noticeably cleaner, more flexible footage in post-production.

Performance and Genre Suitability: Which Camera Excels Where?

After weeks of side-by-side shooting in diverse applications, here’s my detailed breakdown.

Portraits

The Nikon D7000’s larger sensor and higher resolution deliver finer detail and richer skin tones, with pleasing bokeh produced by compatible fast primes in the F-mount. Its advanced 39-point AF with eye detection outperforms Olympus’s 11-point AF, helping nail sharp focus on eyes and expressions effortlessly.

Olympus’s smaller sensor means less separation from subject to background, resulting in less creamy bokeh. Yet, its articulating screen and weather sealing can be advantageous for outdoor portrait shoots.

Landscapes

Dynamic range is king here. Nikon’s 13.9 EV advantage on the D7000 ensures better retention of shadow detail and highlights in tricky light. The higher 16MP resolution gives more clarity for large prints. Olympus’s rugged build and articulated screen support creative shooting angles but can’t fully compensate for dynamic range limits.

Wildlife

Speed and reach are crucial. With the crop factor advantage, Olympus’s 2.1x multiplier effectively doubles lens focal lengths more than Nikon’s 1.5x, appealing in telephoto reach. However, Nikon’s faster 6fps burst rate, superior AF tracking, and better low-light noise control make the D7000 my go-to for birds and action shots.

Sports

Both cameras support shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec. Nikon again pulls ahead with faster continuous shooting and better AF tracking. While Olympus’s robust construction suits rough environments, Nikon’s combination of speed, accurate AF, and expansive lens selection make it more suited for sports pros on a budget.

Street Photography

D7000’s smaller size and lighter weight are advantages for inconspicuous shooting. The noisier shutter on Olympus might draw unwanted attention. Both bodies perform well in low light thanks to high max ISO settings, but Nikon’s better high-ISO handling contributes markedly to cleaner images.

Macro

Olympus’s articulated hypercrystal LCD is a major win here, aiding compositions impossible with fixed screens. Image stabilization in-body also helps, a feature Nikon’s D7000 lacks.

Nikon’s sensor resolution grants more detail, but Olympus’s effective stabilization and screen flexibility make it attractive to macro shooters focusing on challenging angles.

Night/Astro Photography

High ISO noise performance makes Nikon the clear winner under dark skies. D7000’s better dynamic range and sensor size capture richer star fields and lower noise nebula shots, while Olympus’s limited dynamic range challenges exposure balancing.

Video

Nikon’s Full HD 1080p and superior codecs provide better quality footage for professional or semi-pro videographers. Olympus delivers 720p only and less efficient codecs, relegating it as a secondary video tool.

Travel

Both cameras offer dual card slots and solid weather sealing. Nikon’s lighter weight and longer battery life favor extended trips, but Olympus’s articulated screen and robust build offer versatility outdoors.

Professional Work

As a pro, the Nikon D7000 fits well into workflows with robust RAW support, wider file compatibility, and a massive lens ecosystem. The E-5’s storage versatility and rugged body could appeal to fieldwork professionals - but the Nikon’s finer image quality, faster autofocus, and better video capacity make it the more balanced tool.

Summing Up Image Shoots: Sample Galleries

To demonstrate both cameras’ output, I compiled side-by-side images capturing portraits, landscapes, and wildlife sequences.

Nikon D7000 front Nikon D7000 screen back Olympus E 5 front Olympus E 5 screen back

The Nikon images display finer detail and cleaner noise. Olympus photos present slightly warmer, punchier colors due to in-camera processing, but with lower resolution detail.

Final Performance Scores and Ratings

After exhaustive testing based on sensor attributes, autofocus, burst, build, and overall handling, here are my final scores summarizing each system’s strengths.

Genre-specific scores:

Who Should Buy Which and Why?

After reviewing the data and experience, here’s my personal take:

Choose the Nikon D7000 if you:

• Want a balanced DSLR with excellent image quality and low-light performance
• Need a vast, mature lens ecosystem for multiple applications
• Shoot fast action - sports, wildlife - with confidence in autofocus and burst rates
• Require robust video features including Full HD 1080p and microphone input
• Prefer a lighter, more compact body for travel and street photography
• Seek professional-grade RAW files and color depth

Opt for the Olympus E-5 if you:

• Favor a rugged, weather-sealed body for tough outdoor use
• Like an articulated LCD for macro, video, and creative shooting angles
• Appreciate in-body image stabilization for hand-held close-up photography
• Shoot mostly in bright outdoor conditions where sensor size is less of an issue
• Want solid, reliable performance without needing top-end video or lightning-fast burst
• Value CompactFlash card compatibility alongside SD storage

Closing Thoughts from Years of Testing

Having tested thousands of cameras across genres, the Nikon D7000 and Olympus E-5 stand as durable, well-built DSLRs with distinct philosophies. Nikon’s sensor powerhouse and versatile AF system better suit those who demand cutting-edge image quality and speed. Olympus offers a tough, flexible tool that rewards creativity and rugged use but with some compromises in sensor performance and autofocus precision.

Both remain relevant for advanced photographers on varying budgets. Your choice should hinge largely on your subjects, shooting style, and what lenses you prefer to work with. Don’t underestimate how vital the lens ecosystem and autofocus capabilities are when selecting between formats and systems.

Whichever you pick, I encourage you to engage deeply with the camera’s strengths and limitations through practical experience - the real test of any photographic tool.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed comparison. If you have questions about specific use cases or workflow integration, feel free to reach out. Photography is as much about the gear as it is about the eye behind it - and finding the perfect camera is part of that lifelong journey.

Happy shooting!