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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-PM2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Olympus. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was brought out 3 years prior to the E-PM2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-5 scores vs the E-PM2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-5 E-PM2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-5

 E-PM2 E-5 
RevealedMay 2013February 2011Fresher by 27 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-5 E-PM2 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 enjoys outer dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-5 versus Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 versus the E-PM2.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and E-PM2 is 58 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and E-PM2.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PM2 to render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older E-5 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
71
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
56
weather proof
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
66
offers touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging factors
64
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
has external microphone socket
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus E-5Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-03 2013-05-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 35
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 grams (1.76 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
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 Overall score 56 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 12.2
DXO Low light score 519 932
Other
Battery life 870 photographs 360 photographs
Type 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 feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Price at release $1,700 $448