Olympus E-1 vs Sony NEX-5R

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.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

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.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-1 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-1 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.