Clicky

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5R
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The E-M1 II was revealed 5 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-M1 II grades against the NEX-5N for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony NEX-5N

 E-M1 II NEX-5N 
ReleasedSeptember 2016October 2011More recent by 61 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-M1 II

 NEX-5N E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony NEX-5N

 E-M1 II NEX-5N 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II has got external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II vs the NEX-5N.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and NEX-5N is 68 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The photograph here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-M1 II will produce greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
75
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Street photography advice
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than others (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
58
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
72
lighter than others (574 grams)
environment proof
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
70
great battery pack (460 shots)
features touch to focus
resolution is good (16MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging info
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone socket
lighter than others (574g)
33
has touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1312 1079
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 460 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $1,700 $550