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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T 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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M5 versus Sony NEX-5T, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5T (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 was unveiled 16 months earlier than the NEX-5T which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M5 grades vs the NEX-5T in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-M5 NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T E-M5 
AnnouncedAugust 2013April 2012More recent by 16 months
Screen resolution922k610kClearer screen (+312k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 E-M5 NEX-5T 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 features exterior measurements 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 Sony NEX-5T has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 versus Sony NEX-5T in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 against the NEX-5T.

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and NEX-5T is 81 and 89 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and NEX-5T.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The E-M5 has the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field more difficult. The older E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5T
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Street photography camera
82
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5T
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
lack of phase detect autofocus
69
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography details
66
environment proof
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
77
supports focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lack of Timelapse recording
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging features
34
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
73
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Sony NEX-5T
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-04-30 2013-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 610k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425 gr (0.94 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 13.0
DXO Low light score 826 1015
Other
Battery life 360 shots 330 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $799 $400