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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-3
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony A700
  • Replacement is Sony A77 II
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus E-5 and Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and A77 (24MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and A77 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-5 was brought out 8 months before the A77 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-5 grades versus the A77 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Sony A77

 E-5 A77 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Olympus E-5

 A77 E-5 
IntroducedOctober 2011February 2011Newer by 8 months
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Sony A77

 E-5 A77 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 features physical dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-5 and Sony A77 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-5 versus the A77.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and A77 is 58 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and A77.

All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A77 will provide greater detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography info
Sony A77 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
77
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography details
Sony A77 Street photography details
71
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
74
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography advice
Sony A77 Sports photography advice
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A77 as a Travel photography camera
56
environment proofing
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
62
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (470 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography features
Sony A77 Landscape photography features
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery life (470 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A77 as a Vlogging camera
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
comes with external mic socket
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
76
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Sony A77
 Olympus E-5Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-5 Sony SLT-A77
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-02-03 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 19
Cross type focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 732 grams (1.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 13.2
DXO Low light rating 519 801
Other
Battery life 870 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 NP-FM500H
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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Launch pricing $1,700 $900