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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Olympus. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was introduced 9 months after the E-PL1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-5 scores against the E-PL1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-5 E-PL1 
IntroducedFebruary 2011May 2010Newer by 9 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-5

 E-PL1 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-5 E-PL1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 has got external dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1 has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-5 compared to the E-PL1.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and E-PL1 is 58 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and E-PL1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you really should consider the age of the products into consideration. The more recent E-5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
71
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography information
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
56
environment proofing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
MP count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging info
64
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
does have microphone port
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-5Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-03 2010-05-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ Truepic V
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 800 grams (1.76 lb) 334 grams (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.1
DXO Low light score 519 487
Other
Battery life 870 shots 290 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Two One
Launch cost $1,700 $288