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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
71
Imaging
53
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.

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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
78
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
70
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
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography information
73
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