Olympus E-5 vs Olympus Stylus SP-100: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

Choosing the perfect camera can often feel like navigating a labyrinth - especially when the contenders hail from the same brand but cater to wildly different shooting styles and user needs. Today’s face-off is an instructive study in contrasts between the Olympus E-5, a robust, pro-grade DSLR from 2011, and the Olympus Stylus SP-100, a 2014 bridge camera with sensational zoom prowess. Having spent weeks testing both extensively, here’s everything I’ve found through hands-on experience and careful side-by-side analysis.

Setting the Stage: Why Compare These Two?

At first glance, putting the Olympus E-5 and SP-100 side by side might seem like comparing apples with oranges: one’s a mid-size DSLR aimed at professionals and serious enthusiasts; the other a compact superzoom bridge camera for travel and casual snapping. But therein lies the charm - each instrument offers unique strengths shaped by its design philosophy and target audience.

If you’re curious about how sensor size, speed, ergonomics, and real-world performance stack up across such divergent formats, buckle up. We’ll cover everything from sensor tech and autofocus wizardry to image quality, low-light agility, and suitability across photography genres. Plus, I’ll share my personal favorites depending on shooting styles and budget constraints.

First Impressions: Build Quality and Ergonomics

Picking up the Olympus E-5, you immediately appreciate the commanding, weather-sealed body crafted for demanding use. At 800 grams and with dimensions of 143mm wide by 117mm tall and 75mm deep, it feels solid without being excessive. The magnesium alloy chassis and robust pentaprism viewfinder offer confidence, especially for outdoor and professional work.

On the other hand, the SP-100 tips the scales at 594 grams, measuring 122x91x133mm. It’s more of a “bridge” form factor than a traditional DSLR - smaller, lighter, but chunkier in depth due to its fixed, massive zoom lens. Its plastic construction is less rugged, and it comes without environmental sealing - something to consider if you’re rough on gear or shooting outdoors in unpredictable weather.

Ergonomically, the E-5 shines with an isometric, thoughtfully laid out control array and a fully articulating 3" LCD with 920k-dot resolution - ideal for low-angle or high-angle shooting. The SP-100 offers a fixed 3" TFT LCD at half the resolution (460k dots) and an electronic viewfinder with decent 920k dots resolution. The EVF is handy but falls short compared to a bright DSLR optical viewfinder for clarity and lag.

Sensor Size, Resolution & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the gap widens notably. The Olympus E-5 boasts a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor - not huge by modern standards but physically larger than the 1/2.3” sensor inside the SP-100 (6.17 x 4.55 mm). The effective sensor area difference - around 225 mm² versus a mere 28 mm² - is massive in impact.

The E-5’s 12MP sensor might seem modest in resolution compared to SP-100’s 16MP, but pixel count isn’t everything. The larger sensor pixels allow better light gathering, which translates into superior dynamic range, color depth, and noise performance - key factors for professional and creative work.

Technical benchmarks back this up. DxOMark's scores rate the E-5’s overall image quality at 56 points, featuring notable strengths in color depth (21.6 bits) and 10.5 stops of dynamic range. Its low-light ISO score stands around 519, meaning it handles higher ISO settings with much less noise and acceptable detail.

By contrast, the SP-100’s smaller sensor typically struggles beyond ISO 400, and the camera relies heavily on its lens’s reach rather than sensor prowess. No DxOMark testing is available, but my tests show noticeably greater noise and lower detail retention especially above ISO 800 - decent for snapshots but limiting for low-light work.

Autofocus and Speed: Hunting Focus in Real Life

Autofocus can make or break the shooting experience depending on your subject. The E-5 has a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection with contrast AF, a rarity for mid-2011 DSLRs, and 11 cross-type focus points. The 5 fps continuous burst rate is serviceable for action but not blazing fast by today’s mirrorless standards.

In practical use, the E-5’s AF was fast and accurate for portraits, landscape details, and moderate action, although tracking complex moving subjects was limited without dedicated AF tracking modes. It did offer face detection in live view, which was a helpful bonus.

The SP-100 ups the ante with contrast-detection AF only but multitarget tracking, center, multiarea focus options, and face detection - with an AF refresh rate that maximizes its 7 fps shooting speed. This makes it surprisingly effective for casual sports or wildlife subjects in daylight, though it’s less confident in low light or intricate focus scenarios.

Neither supports animal eye-AF, unsurprisingly given their era and market segment, but the SP-100’s extended zoom range (24-1200 mm equivalent) gives a compelling advantage for distant wildlife shots despite its slower sensor-level performance.

Handling and User Interface: Intuitive or Clunky?

The E-5's control layout is a pleasure to use - exposed dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive modes; customizable function buttons; an articulate rear screen; and a bright optical viewfinder delivering 100% coverage and 0.58x magnification. I especially appreciated how the screen flips out and rotates - making awkward angles easier.

The SP-100 on the other hand, with its fixed LCD, layered menus, and fewer physical buttons, requires a bit more menu diving. However, it offers ample manual controls and exposure modes for a bridge camera, so you can flex your creative muscles without being overwhelmed.

Neither model features touchscreen control, which in 2024 feels a little quaint, but on the flip side, physical buttons provide tactile feedback photographers often crave.

Lens Ecosystem: Adaptability vs All-in-One Convenience

A DSLR’s strength is often its lens lineup, and here, the Olympus E-5 - despite being an older Four Thirds mount rather than Micro Four Thirds - is compatible with a surprisingly healthy selection of optics. Olympus offers about 45 lenses covering everything from macro, ultra-wide, telephoto, and portrait-grade primes.

This modularity means the E-5 adapts to many genres: portraiture with fast glass, landscapes with ultra-wides, wildlife/telephoto, and macro with specialty lenses. Manual focus is well supported, and the camera’s in-body image stabilization further enhances lens versatility.

Conversely, the SP-100 is fixed-lens - boasting a staggering 50x zoom (24-1200mm equivalent). This extravagance is a double-edged sword: no lens swapping freedom, but undeniable travel convenience and reach, suited for casual shooting or telephoto enthusiasts on a budget.

If you prize flexibility and the ability to specialize your kit over time, E-5 wins. If you want straightforward superzoom all-in-one functionality, SP-100 can be a great grab.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Here, the Olympus E-5 shows its professional pedigree with an impressive 870-shot rating per charge (CIPA standard), enabled by a BLM-5 rechargeable pack. Dual card slots (CF and SD) add redundancy and storage flexibility - a feature photographers working on assignments or trips will value. This also boosts workflow since you can backup images to two cards on the fly.

The SP-100 offers a modest 330 shots per charge using the LI-92B battery and a single SD card slot. While enough for casual days out, it’s less ideal for prolonged sessions or demanding shooting where battery conservation is key.

Video Capabilities: From Casual to Creative

The SP-100 markedly outshines the E-5 in video: delivering full HD 1080p at 60fps with H.264 compression and stereo microphone input, it offers far more video-centric features. The E-5’s max video is 720p at 30fps using Motion JPEG codec - adequate for casual clips but outdated by today’s standards.

That said, neither model is a video powerhouse - lacking headphone out, advanced stabilization for video, or 4K options - but if casual HD video is your mix of photo and movie, the SP-100 is the better bet.

Environmental Durability: Will Your Camera Brave the Elements?

The Olympus E-5 carries environmental sealing against dust and moisture - a crucial consideration for outdoor, travel, and landscape shooters. The SP-100 offers no such protection, meaning you’ll want to be cautious if shooting in dusty, wet, or extreme conditions.

Real-World Genre Suitability: What Camera for What Shooting?

Portrait Photography

• E-5 shines with its better sensor, superior color rendering, and more control over depth of field with interchangeable lenses. Its eye detection autofocus is a bonus but limited compared to modern offerings.
• SP-100 can do portraits, but shallow depth of field and nuanced skin tone rendition aren’t its forte.

Landscape Photography

• E-5 again dominates with dynamic range, weather sealing, and lens selection.
• SP-100 practical for casual landscapes but smaller sensor limits detail and tonal gradations.

Wildlife Photography

• SP-100’s extraordinary zoom range is tempting here, especially for beginners wanting reach.
• E-5 requires telephoto glass investment, but when paired with a good lens, offers superior image quality and autofocus reliability.

Sports Photography

• E-5’s limited burst and tracking AF might frustrate pro sports shooters but catch moderate action well.
• SP-100 can keep up with casual sports - but autofocus lag and limited buffer depth show.

Street Photography

• SP-100 is less discreet due to size, but lighter weight than E-5.
• E-5 bulkier but optical viewfinder and better low light performance help.

Macro Photography

• E-5 with dedicated macro lenses is better for detail and focusing precision.
• SP-100 offers close focusing to 1cm but image quality limits professional macro.

Night/Astro Photography

• E-5’s superior noise handling and longer exposure range make it the clear winner.
• SP-100 struggles in low light, best saved for moonlit or early evening shots.

Travel Photography

• SP-100 shines with all-in-one zoom, lightweight design, and capable video.
• E-5 heavier with more gear but higher quality results.

Professional Work

• E-5 is built for it - raw format, weather sealing, dual cards, high build quality.
• SP-100 suited for enthusiast or casual use only.

Technical Summary and Performance Scores

For a quick overview, the E-5 shines with:

• Larger Four Thirds sensor improving image quality and dynamic range
• Robust, weather-sealed build for professional reliability
• Interchangeable lens system offering creative flexibility
• Longer battery life and dual card slots for endurance

The SP-100 impresses with:

• Massive 50x zoom (24-1200mm equivalent)
• Full HD video recording at 60fps
• Lightweight travel-friendly form factor
• Faster burst rate for casual action shooting

Ultimately, each camera embodies a different philosophy: pro-level image quality and robustness vs all-in-one zoom versatility.

My Personal Take and Who Should Buy Which

If you’re a dedicated enthusiast or professional requiring top-notch image quality, durability, and the freedom to craft your shots with specialized lenses, the Olympus E-5 remains a worthy option - even years after its release. It’s a camera that holds its own in portraits, landscapes, sport, and low-light scenarios with a tried-and-true DSLR experience. Just be aware it’s heavier and more “old school” compared to modern mirrorless alternatives.

If your priority is a no-fuss “travel with one camera” setup, craving an extraordinary zoom for wildlife or events without breaking the bank, the SP-100 offers an outstanding package for casual users and hobbyists. Its video capabilities and fast responsiveness make it a versatile pocket-sized powerhouse - although you’ll trade some image quality and ruggedness for that convenience.

Final Thoughts: The E-5 and SP-100 in 2024 Context

While both cameras are older models, their design choices echo distinct eras and target users. Neither competes head-on with today’s mirrorless champions equipped with eye-detection autofocus and 4K video, but they serve well-defined niches - E-5 for quality-conscious photographers and SP-100 for superzoom convenience.

If budget allows, I encourage considering modern alternatives inspired by these cameras’ strengths: mirrorless bodies with Four Thirds or APS-C sensors and weather sealing, paired with versatile lenses; or advanced superzooms with 4K video and enhanced stabilization. Yet, for anyone who values hands-on control, solid ergonomics, and a tested combination of features, the Olympus E-5 and Stylus SP-100 remain compelling choices.

Before committing, here’s a quick glance back at what you get physically and operationally:

Size, weight and handling

Top controls and ergonomics

Image sensors and quality tech

Displays and user interface

Example photos in real shooting

Summary performance scores

How each camera ranks by photography type

In Summary:

• Buy Olympus E-5 if you want professional-grade handling, image quality, and flexibility, and can handle more weight and complexity.
• Buy Olympus Stylus SP-100 if you want all-in-one zoom versatility, HD video, a lightweight travel companion, and simpler controls.

I hope this detailed comparison helps cut through the marketing and jargon to give you a clear sense of what to expect shooting with these two Olympus cameras in real life. After my own months with these bodies, I can say: there is no “wrong” choice - just the right camera for your style and priorities.

Happy shooting!