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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
54
Imaging
62
Features
93
Overall
74
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Released January 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Introduced September 2012
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both built by Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1X was released 6 years later than the E-PL5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1X grades versus the E-PL5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-M1X E-PL5 
IntroducedJanuary 2019September 2012Fresher by 78 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-M1X

 E-PL5 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL5

 E-M1X E-PL5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1X comes with outside dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL5 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1X vs the E-PL5.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1X and E-PL5 is 54 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by researching specifications. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1X and E-PL5.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus E-M1X to result in more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher E-M1X should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography factors
77
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Street photography camera
67
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (997g)
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography factors
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery life (870 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography features
68
good battery life (870 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
more heavy than others in class (997 grams)
75
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography details
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
good battery life (870 CIPA)
has double storage slots
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging information
68
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
more heavy than others in class (997g)
78
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus PEN E-PL5
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-01-24 2012-09-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes 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, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997g (2.20 lb) 325g (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 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 870 photographs 360 photographs
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Cost at launch $2,999 $400