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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-3
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and A380 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The E-5 was announced 18 months later than the A380 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-5 scores versus the A380 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Sony A380

 E-5 A380 
LaunchedFebruary 2011August 2009Fresher by 18 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Olympus E-5

 A380 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Sony A380

 E-5 A380 
Manually focus More precise focus
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-5 enjoys outer measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-5 versus the A380.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and A380 is 58 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and A380.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-5 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A380 will show greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer E-5 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Sony A380
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
72
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
71
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Sony A380
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Sony A380
56
environment proofing
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (500 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography information
Sony A380 Landscape photography information
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A380 as a Vlogging camera
64
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
includes external microphone port
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Sony A380
 Olympus E-5Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-02-03 2009-08-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 519 gr (1.14 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 67
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 11.8
DXO Low light rating 519 614
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 500 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 2 1
Price at release $1,700 $899