Olympus E-P3 vs Sony HX5

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony HX5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and HX5 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was introduced 15 months after the HX5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-P3 scores against the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P3 has got external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

See the Olympus E-P3 versus Sony HX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-P3 against the HX5.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and HX5 is 86 and 92 respectively.

In many cases, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The picture below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and HX5.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-P3 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-P3 will resolve greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-P3 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.