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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both built by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 was launched 4 years before the PEN-F which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-M5 scores against the PEN-F in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-M5 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-M5

 PEN-F E-M5 
RevealedJanuary 2016April 2012Newer by 45 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k610kClearer display (+427k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Olympus PEN-F

 E-M5 PEN-F 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 has physical dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Olympus PEN-F has proportions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-M5 and the PEN-F.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and PEN-F is 81 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and PEN-F.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus PEN-F to offer more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
75
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5
Street photography with Olympus PEN-F
82
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
84
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography features
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography features
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Olympus PEN-F
66
weather proofing
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
75
includes focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
missing Time Lapse recording
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
terrible battery life (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Vlogging camera
34
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus PEN-F
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-04-30 2016-01-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 81
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 610k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.62x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 425 gr (0.94 lbs) 427 gr (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 71 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 12.4
DXO Low light rating 826 894
Other
Battery life 360 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $799 $1,000