Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM1

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).

Photography Glossary

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.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-5 and Olympus PEN E-PM1. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Olympus E-PM1 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.