Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R
58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Announced February 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
- New Model is Sony NEX-5T

Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-5 versus Sony NEX-5R, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

The E-5 was introduced 19 months earlier than the NEX-5R which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-5 grades vs the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-5 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Sony NEX-5R
E-5 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus E-5
NEX-5R | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 19 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Sony NEX-5R
E-5 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Exact same screen resolution |
Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 features exterior 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-5 versus Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-5 and the NEX-5R.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and NEX-5R is 58 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and NEX-5R.
As you have seen, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-5 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-5R will provide you with greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus E-5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-02-03 | 2012-08-29 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 99 |
Cross focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 45 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
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 settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
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), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 gr (1.76 lbs) | 276 gr (0.61 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | 519 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 870 shots | 330 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLM-5 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 2 | Single |
Pricing at launch | $1,700 | $750 |