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Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

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

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

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The E-1 was manufactured 9 years before the NEX-5R which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-1 scores vs the NEX-5R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 E-1 NEX-5R 

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

 NEX-5R E-1 
RevealedAugust 2012November 2003Newer by 106 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution920k134kClearer display (+786k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 E-1 NEX-5R 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

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

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 offers exterior 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-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-1 and the NEX-5R.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and NEX-5R is 59 and 89 respectively.

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

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

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and NEX-5R.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-5R will provide extra detail due to its extra 11MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be behind in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography factors
46
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lighter than others (735g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography details
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
68
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
47
lighter than others (735 grams)
weather proof
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (1.8 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging features
9
no video recording
31
touch screen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus E-1Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2003-11-29 2012-08-29
Body design 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 45 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 1.8" 3"
Resolution of display 134 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 pounds) 276g (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $1,700 $750