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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
85
Imaging
53
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-P5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 420g - 122 x 69 x 37mm
  • Released October 2013
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-P5 versus Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are designed by Olympus. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the E-P5 (16MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P5 was introduced 3 years after the E-PL1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-P5 scores against the E-PL1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P5 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-P5 E-PL1 
LaunchedOctober 2013May 2010More modern by 42 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-P5

 E-PL1 E-P5 

Common features in the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-P5 E-PL1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P5 enjoys outer dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P5 versus Olympus E-PL1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-P5 against the E-PL1.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P5 and E-PL1 is 85 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The pic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P5 and E-PL1.

To sum up, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus E-P5 to produce more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent E-P5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
78
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competition in class (420g)
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
68
features focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition in class (420g)
display is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P5 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
33
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (420g)
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P5 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus PEN E-P5Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P5 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-10-03 2010-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology 3:2 LCD capacitive touchscreen HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual (1/1 - 1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 gr (0.93 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 54
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 895 487
Other
Battery life 330 images 290 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $389 $288