Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
![Olympus OM-D E-M5 front Olympus OM-D E-M5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5/Olympus-E-M5-front.jpg)
![Sony SLT-A99 front Sony SLT-A99 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-SLT-A99/Sony-A99-front.jpg)
57 Imaging
70 Features
88 Overall
77
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(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
- Later Model is Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Released December 2012
- Superseded the Sony A900
- New Model is Sony A99 II
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and A99 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The E-M5 was launched 7 months before the A99 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-M5 matches up against the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Sony SLT-A99. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Sony A99
E-M5 | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Olympus E-M5
A99 | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2012 | ![]() | April 2012 | Fresher by 7 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 610k | Sharper screen (+619k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Sony A99
E-M5 | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 provides outside measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 vs the A99.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 size comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-SLT-A99-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and A99 is 81 and 57 respectively.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-SLT-A99-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and A99.
All in all, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony A99 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-SLT-A99-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-vs-Sony-SLT-A99-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 vs Sony A99 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony SLT-A99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Sony SLT-A99 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-04-30 | 2012-12-12 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VI | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 19 |
Cross focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 107 | 143 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 610 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dot | 2,359 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 9.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/250 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 425 gr (0.94 lb) | 812 gr (1.79 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 71 | 89 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 25.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.3 | 14.0 |
DXO Low light score | 826 | 1555 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 images | 500 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Dual |
Cost at release | $799 | $1,998 |