Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35
81 Imaging
51 Features
70 Overall
58
69 Imaging
56 Features
70 Overall
61
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed April 2012
- Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
Photography Glossary Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M5 and Sony A35, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the A35 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and A35 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe E-M5 was unveiled 8 months later than the A35 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-M5 grades vs the A35 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Sony SLT-A35. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Sony A35 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Sony A35
| E-M5 | A35 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | April 2012 |  | September 2011 | More recent by 8 months |
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Olympus E-M5
| A35 | E-M5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 921k |  | 610k | Crisper screen (+311k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Sony A35
| E-M5 | A35 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 comes with physical measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony A35 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-M5 and Sony A35 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 compared to the A35.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and A35 is 81 and 69 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and A35.
Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-M5 uses the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging. The newer E-M5 will have an advantage in sensor technology.
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A35 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony SLT-A35 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony SLT-A35 |
| Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2012-04-30 | 2011-09-20 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic VI | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| 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 | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Available lenses | 107 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 610k dots | 921k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,440k dots | 1,150k dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 9.0 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 425g (0.94 pounds) | 415g (0.91 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 71 | 74 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 23.3 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.3 | 12.7 |
| DXO Low light score | 826 | 763 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 photos | 440 photos |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLN-1 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail pricing | $799 | $598 |