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Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-1 versus Sony NEX-5N, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-1 was brought out 8 years earlier than the NEX-5N which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-1 matches up versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 E-1 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-1

 NEX-5N E-1 
AnnouncedOctober 2011November 2003Newer by 95 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution920k134kSharper display (+786k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Sony NEX-5N

 E-1 NEX-5N 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 comes with physical measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-1 versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-1 vs the NEX-5N.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and NEX-5N is 59 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and NEX-5N.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-5N will resolve greater detail having its extra 11MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
46
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (5 megapixels)
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5N Street photography information
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (735g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
58
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
environment sealing
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution (5 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
70
great battery (460 shots)
comes with focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
small screen (1.8 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (5MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
71
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
33
touchscreen functionality
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus E-1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2003-11-29 2011-10-03
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 2560 x 1920 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 45 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 1.8" 3"
Screen resolution 134k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735g (1.62 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $1,700 $550