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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 III
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M10 II
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M10 IV
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2012
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the E-PL5 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-M10 III was announced 5 years later than the E-PL5 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-M10 III scores versus the E-PL5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-M10 III E-PL5 
LaunchedAugust 2017September 2012Fresher by 61 months
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 E-PL5 E-M10 III 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL5

 E-M10 III E-PL5 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M10 III has got physical dimensions of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL5 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M10 III against the E-PL5.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M10 III and E-PL5 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The visual below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M10 III and E-PL5.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos but you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher E-M10 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography advice
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Street photography details
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography details
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than average (410 grams)
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Sports photography info
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography info
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
no phase detect autofocus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
67
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than average (410g)
display is not selfie friendly
75
offers touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography features
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Vlogging camera
32
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than average (410g)
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL5
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2017-08-31 2012-09-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 grams (0.90 lb) 325 grams (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 889
Other
Battery life 330 shots 360 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $650 $400