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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M5
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 III
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-M5 II, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both created by Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-M5 II (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was unveiled 5 years prior to the E-M5 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-5 grades against the E-M5 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-5 E-M5 II 

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

 E-M5 II E-5 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2011Fresher by 48 months
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 E-5 E-M5 II 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 comes with outside dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 II has measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-M5 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-5 against the E-M5 II.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and E-M5 II is 58 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and E-M5 II.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-M5 II to show greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-5 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-M5 II as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
71
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
82
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography details
Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography details
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (310 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography advice
56
environment proof
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
environment proofing
provides touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (310 shots)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
megapixel count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging information
Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging information
64
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
includes mic socket
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
82
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-M5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-M5 II
 Olympus E-5Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-03 2015-02-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface 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
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 81
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 469g (1.03 lbs)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 73
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.4
DXO Low light score 519 896
Other
Battery life 870 shots 310 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Retail cost $1,700 $699