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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

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

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Announced October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-5N, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was brought out 2 years after the NEX-5N which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-M1 scores versus the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M1 NEX-5N 
ReleasedOctober 2013October 2011Newer by 26 months
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)

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

 NEX-5N E-M1 

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

 E-M1 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 provides physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 compared to the NEX-5N.

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

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and NEX-5N is 71 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Typically, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and NEX-5N.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-M1 contains the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field tougher. The fresher E-M1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
71
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than competitors (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography factors
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery power (350 per charge)
58
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (497 grams)
weather sealing
boasts touch focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
bad battery power (350 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
70
good battery life (460 per charge)
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography factors
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery power (350 per charge)
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
lighter than competitors (497 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
33
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-10-28 2011-10-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Flash Auto, 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 77
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 12.7
DXO Low light score 757 1079
Other
Battery life 350 shots 460 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $799 $550