Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
![Olympus PEN E-P1 front Olympus PEN E-P1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-P1/Olympus-E-P1-front.jpg)
![Olympus PEN E-PL5 front Olympus PEN E-PL5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PL5/Olympus-E-PL5-front.jpg)
88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Revealed July 2009
- Updated by Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Launched September 2012
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both of them are designed by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The E-P1 was brought out 4 years earlier than the E-PL5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-P1 scores versus the E-PL5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P1 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-P1 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-PL5
E-P1 | E-PL5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-P1
E-PL5 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 38 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PL5
E-P1 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P1 has outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL5 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 in our completely 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)
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-P1 compared to the E-PL5.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL5-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and E-PL5 is 86 and 88 respectively.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and E-PL5.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-PL5 to result in extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-07-29 | 2012-09-17 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 355 grams (0.78 lbs) | 325 grams (0.72 lbs) |
Dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | 889 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 360 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $182 | $400 |