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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5

Portability
58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-M5, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-M5 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was revealed 15 months earlier than the E-M5 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-5 matches up versus the E-M5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 E-5 E-M5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution920k610kCrisper display (+310k dot)
Selfie screen  Take selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus E-5

		

		

			
 E-M5 E-5 
AnnouncedApril 2012February 2011Newer by 15 months
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5

		

		

			
 E-5 E-M5 
Focus manually  More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 has got external dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 has sizing of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-M5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-5 compared to the E-M5.
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and E-M5 is 58 and 81 respectively.
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and E-M5.
Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M5 to provide you with more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-5 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography features
60
 manual focus
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 includes face detection focusing
 supports RAW files
 sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
71
 focusing manually
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports face detect autofocus
 saves RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
 Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
71
 screen articulates fully
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 environment proofing
82
 screen tilts
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 comes with focus via touch
 weather sealing
 above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
59
 high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 environment proofing
 comes with phase detect AF
 max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
 sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
67
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent megapixels (16MP)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports tracking focus
 weather sealing
 lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
 Olympus E-5 as a Travel photography camera
 Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
56
 environment proofing
 flash built-in
 screen is selfie friendly
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 sensor resolution low (12MP)
66
 weather sealing
 comes with focus via touch
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 no Time Lapse function
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-5 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography factors
64
 manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 environment proofing
 has dual storage slots
 sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
73
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is decent (3")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 saves RAW files
 weather sealing
 no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging factors
64
 screen is selfie friendly
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 includes face detection focusing
 does have external mic jack
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
34
 touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 supports face detect autofocus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 no mic socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5
 Olympus E-5Olympus OM-D E-M5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus OM-D E-M5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-03 2012-04-30
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data    
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Number of focus points 11 35
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 610 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.58x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 425 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 71
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.3
DXO Low light score 519 826
Other
Battery life 870 photos 360 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 One
Pricing at launch $1,700 $799