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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and E-PL1s (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was introduced 9 years after the E-PL1s which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the Z5 grades vs the E-PL1s for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 Z5 E-PL1s 
AnnouncedJuly 2020November 2010Newer by 118 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Nikon Z5

 E-PL1s Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-PL1s

 Z5 E-PL1s 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z5 comes with external measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1s has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the Z5 versus the E-PL1s.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and E-PL1s is 62 and 86 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and E-PL1s.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Nikon Z5 will offer extra detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer Z5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (675 grams)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography details
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (470 shots)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (4.5 frames/s)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography info
68
good battery power (470 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
heavier than competition in class (675g)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography features
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery power (470 shots)
two card slots
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1s
34
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (675g)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Nikon Z5Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z5 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-07-20 2010-11-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 273 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 15 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photos 290 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC
Card slots Two 1
Cost at launch $1,399 $599