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Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 III
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
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The E-M5 II was released 3 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-M5 II grades vs the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Sony NEX-5N

 E-M5 II NEX-5N 
ReleasedFebruary 2015October 2011More recent by 41 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-M5 II

 NEX-5N E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony NEX-5N

 E-M5 II NEX-5N 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 II comes with external dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M5 II and Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 II vs the NEX-5N.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 II and NEX-5N is 80 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 II and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-M5 II contains the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow depth of field more challenging. The more modern E-M5 II provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
82
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
bad battery pack (310 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
58
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery pack (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
74
environment sealing
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (310 shots)
70
great battery pack (460 per charge)
supports touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery pack (310 per charge)
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging info
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
33
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IISony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type MOS 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469g (1.03 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 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 12.4 12.7
DXO Low light score 896 1079
Other
Battery life 310 shots 460 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $699 $550