OM System OM-5 vs Sony NEX-7

Here, we are analyzing the OM System OM-5 and Sony NEX-7, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the OM System OM-5 (20MP) and the NEX-7 (24MP) is fairly close but the OM System OM-5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-7 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The OM System OM-5 was manufactured 11 years after the NEX-7 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the OM System OM-5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the OM System OM-5 matches up versus the NEX-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for OM System OM-5 and Sony Alpha NEX-7. The entire galleries are available at OM System OM-5 Gallery and Sony NEX-7 Gallery.

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The OM System OM-5 features outside dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony NEX-7 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Examine the OM System OM-5 and Sony NEX-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the OM System OM-5 and the NEX-7.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the OM System OM-5 and NEX-7 is 80 and 84 respectively.

Often, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the OM System OM-5 and NEX-7.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The OM System OM-5 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-7 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern OM System OM-5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.