Clicky

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(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
  • New Model is Olympus E-P2
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-3N
  • Refreshed by Sony a5100
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-P1 versus Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and a5000 (20MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and a5000 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-P1 was revealed 5 years before the a5000 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-P1 matches up versus the a5000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Sony a5000

 E-P1 a5000 

Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Olympus E-P1

 a5000 E-P1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2009More recent by 54 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Sony a5000

 E-P1 a5000 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P1 features outside dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Sony a5000 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P1 versus Sony a5000 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-P1 vs the a5000.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and a5000 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and a5000.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-P1 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony a5000 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography information
Sony a5000 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
78
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography features
Sony a5000 Sports photography features
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
60
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery (420 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P1
Travel photography with Sony a5000
43
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
78
good battery (420 shots)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
Landscape photography with Sony a5000
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (420 shots)
does not have image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging advice
Sony a5000 Vlogging advice
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
32
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Sony a5000
 Olympus PEN E-P1Sony Alpha a5000
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha a5000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-07-29 2014-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 355 grams (0.78 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 536 1089
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 420 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $182 $448