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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-PL1s, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the E-PL1s (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was launched 3 months after the E-PL1s which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-5 grades versus the E-PL1s with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-5 E-PL1s 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-5

 E-PL1s E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PL1s

 E-5 E-PL1s 
LaunchedFebruary 2011November 2010Same generation
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 offers outside 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) while the Olympus E-PL1s has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-PL1s in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-5 against the E-PL1s.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and E-PL1s is 58 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specs. The pic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and E-PL1s.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you may want to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1s
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
56
weather proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (290 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse function
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
64
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
does have microphone jack
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus E-5Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-03 2010-11-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface 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
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
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) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 334 gr (0.74 lbs)
Physical 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 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images 290 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Two Single
Price at release $1,700 $599