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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89 Imaging
58 Features
79 Overall
66

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

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-5T, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is very similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5T (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 was launched 3 months after the NEX-5T and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 scores versus the NEX-5T with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

		

		

			
 E-M1 NEX-5T 
Display resolution1037k922kSharper display (+115k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

			
 NEX-5T E-M1 
Selfie screen  Take selfies
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

			
 E-M1 NEX-5T 
AnnouncedOctober 2013August 2013Similar age
Focus manually  Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

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

		

		

			
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5T has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-5T in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 vs the NEX-5T.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison
Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and NEX-5T is 71 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

			
Usually, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and NEX-5T.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The E-M1 has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh tougher.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5T
71
 has manual focus
 above average flash sync (1/320s)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 includes face detection focus
 supports RAW files
74
 manual focus
 decent MP (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 provides face detect focus
 exports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5T Street photography info
77
 screen tilts up and down
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW files
 includes touch to focus
 environment proofing
 lighter than others (497g)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
80
 screen tilts
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 exports RAW files
 offers focus via touch
 great high ISO (25,600)
 lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Sports photography highlights
69
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 includes tracking autofocus
 environment proofing
 has phase detect auto focus
 bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
69
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 provides tracking focus
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
 lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5T
65
 lighter than others (497 grams)
 environment proofing
 includes touch to focus
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 bad battery pack (350 per charge)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
77
 offers focus via touch
 decent MP (16MP)
 display is selfie friendly
 missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography information
72
 has manual focus
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 decent sized screen (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 supports RAW files
 environment proofing
 bad battery pack (350 per charge)
70
 manual focus
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 decent MP (16MP)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 great high ISO (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 lack of image stabilization
 missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging advice
36
 touchscreen enabled
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 includes face detection focus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 has external microphone socket
 lighter than others (497 grams)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
73
 display is selfie friendly
 built-in touchscreen
 provides face detect focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lack of image stabilization
 missing microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Sony NEX-5T
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-10-28 2013-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
AF touch    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Number of focus points 81 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Screen tech - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 497 gr (1.10 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 13.0
DXO Low light score 757 1015
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse feature    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $799 $400