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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was revealed 9 months prior to the E-PM1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-5 grades against the E-PM1 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-PM1

 E-5 E-PM1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-5

 E-PM1 E-5 
AnnouncedNovember 2011February 2011Newer by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-5 E-PM1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-5 comes with outside measurements 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-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 in the latest 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 select at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-5 versus the E-PM1.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and E-PM1 is 58 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and E-PM1.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you should always consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged E-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
71
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
56
weather sealing
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
45
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
64
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does have mic socket
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus E-5Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-03 2011-11-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 35
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 265 gr (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 52
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.3
DXO Low light score 519 499
Other
Battery life 870 photos 330 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch cost $1,700 $499