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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
80
Overall
63

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
Sony RX100 V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed October 2016
  • Older Model is Sony RX100 IV
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 VI
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the RX100 V (20MP) is fairly similar but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and RX100 V (1") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M5 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the RX100 V and that is quite a significant 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 Sony RX100 V being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-M5 matches up versus the RX100 V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Sony RX100 V

 E-M5 RX100 V 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 V over the Olympus E-M5

 RX100 V E-M5 
RevealedOctober 2016April 2012Fresher by 54 months
Display resolution1229k610kSharper display (+619k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Sony RX100 V

 E-M5 RX100 V 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 features external dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony RX100 V has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 and the RX100 V.

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and RX100 V is 81 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 and RX100 V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony RX100 V will offer extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older E-M5 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 V
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
66
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5
Street photography with Sony RX100 V
82
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
85
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Sony RX100 V
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography advice
Sony RX100 V Travel photography advice
66
environment proof
has focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
80
lighter than competition (299 grams)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 V
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
does not have Time Lapse function
70
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery (220 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
Vlogging with Sony RX100 V
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
81
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (299 grams)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony RX100 V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Sony RX100 V
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V
Class Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2012-04-30 2016-10-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 315
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 610 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 425g (0.94 lb) 299g (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 70
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 12.4
DXO Low light rating 826 586
Other
Battery life 360 images 220 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $799 $998