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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

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

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Newer Model is OM System OM-5
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony NEX-5N, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 III was introduced 8 years after the NEX-5N which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M5 III scores against the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M5 III NEX-5N 
LaunchedOctober 2019October 2011Newer by 98 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 NEX-5N E-M5 III 

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

 E-M5 III NEX-5N 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

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

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 III comes with exterior dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") with a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M5 III versus Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 III and the NEX-5N.

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

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and NEX-5N is 80 and 89 respectively.

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

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

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The picture below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and NEX-5N.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
83
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
has focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
bad battery life (310 per charge)
58
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (310 per charge)
71
good battery (460 shots)
has focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery life (310 CIPA)
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging features
84
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
33
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIISony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-10-17 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
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 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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 414 gr (0.91 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 310 images 460 images
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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $1,199 $550