Olympus E-P5 vs Samsung NX300: An Experienced Photographer’s In-Depth Comparison

Choosing the right mirrorless camera is a nuanced decision, especially with models like the Olympus PEN E-P5 and Samsung NX300 - both launched in late 2013 and targeting entry-level to enthusiast photographers. With years of hands-on testing behind me, I’ve extensively evaluated these cameras across genres, technologies, and real-world usability. This detailed comparison will give you an honest, authoritative breakdown of how these two mid-2010s contenders stack up in image quality, handling, features, and versatility - so you can confidently choose the camera that best fits your photography style and budget.

A Tale of Two Mirrorless Designs: Handling and Ergonomics

Any great photo begins with a comfortable and intuitive camera body. Both the Olympus E-P5 and Samsung NX300 adopt the classic rangefinder-style mirrorless approach, but with distinct design philosophies.

Physically, both are compact - ideal for street and travel photography - but the Olympus feels slightly more substantial in hand at 420g vs. 331g for the Samsung. Measuring 122x69x37mm for Olympus and 122x64x41mm for Samsung, the thickness differences reflect varied grip designs and control placements.

I found the Olympus E-P5 offers a more sculpted grip and pronounced dials, which give a reassuring tactile experience when shooting handheld or on the move. The E-P5’s magnesium alloy body packs a solid build quality, instilling confidence in various shooting environments, although it lacks weather sealing.

The Samsung NX300 is slightly slimmer but wider, which some might find less ergonomic for long sessions, especially with larger lenses. The body feels more plastic than metal, still well-constructed but less premium-feeling compared to the Olympus.

The control layout of the E-P5 is straightforward with dedicated dials for shutter speed, EV compensation, and a mode dial on the top plate - a rarity in this mirrorless class that delivers faster manual adjustments. Samsung’s NX300 relies more on touchscreen interaction and fewer physical controls, which can slow down operation in dynamic scenarios.

Quick Summary:

• Olympus E-P5: Solid build, better grip, classic dials aiding quick manual control
• Samsung NX300: Lightweight, slim, touchscreen focused but fewer tactile controls

If you prioritize manual handling and robust ergonomics, the Olympus edges out. For those favoring a lighter walk-around camera with less fuss, the Samsung fits the bill.

Sensor Size and Image Quality - The Heart of a Camera

The sensor largely dictates your image quality potential, so examining this core component is crucial.

Olympus E-P5 employs a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with 16 megapixels effective resolution, whereas the Samsung NX300 sports a larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm) with 20 megapixels.

In practice, the Samsung’s larger sensor area translates into superior noise control, dynamic range, and higher resolution images due to bigger pixels and more light gathering capacity. DXO Mark metrics confirm this advantage, with the NX300 scoring:

• Overall: 76
• Color depth: 23.6 bits
• Dynamic range: 12.7 EV
• Low light ISO: 942

Versus Olympus E-P5:

• Overall: 72
• Color depth: 22.8 bits
• Dynamic range: 12.4 EV
• Low light ISO: 895

Those differences might seem incremental but manifest noticeably in real-world shooting, particularly in low light or high-contrast scenes.

I tested both cameras shooting landscapes during the golden hour and indoors portrait sessions at ISO 1600+. Samsung’s APS-C handled shadows and highlights better, preserving more detail and showing less aggressive noise reduction. Olympus’s 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization, however, offsets some noise disadvantages by enabling up to 2-3 stops slower shutter speeds handheld without blur.

Practical Implications in Key Genres:

• Landscape: Samsung wins for resolution and dynamic range, delivering more detailed RAW files for large prints or heavy crops.
• Portrait: Olympus’s 5-axis stabilization shines during handheld portraits in lower light, but Samsung’s better color depth lends richer skin tones and more subtle gradations.
• Low Light: Samsung’s higher ISO performance gives it an edge in dim conditions with less noise and cleaner shadows.

Autofocus and Speed - Capturing the Moment

Autofocus is an essential consideration for action, wildlife, and sports shooting. Neither camera is a modern AF powerhouse, but details matter.

The Olympus E-P5 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 35 focus points but no phase detection. It supports face detection and a reasonably quick single-shot AF. Continuous autofocus and tracking exist but can struggle with fast-moving subjects due to the slower contrast-driven approach.

Samsung NX300 incorporates hybrid autofocus with 247 AF points (including phase detection), significantly improving AF speed and accuracy. This design was cutting-edge in 2013 entry-level cameras and benefits moving subjects, especially for sports and wildlife.

In burst shooting, both cameras have identical max frame rates - 9fps - but the NX300’s faster AF acquisition lets you focus and recompose more fluidly during continuous shooting.

Personal Testing Insight: During wildlife photography sessions, I could track fast birds more efficiently with the Samsung NX300, thanks to its dense AF point coverage and hybrid system. Olympus was competent but demanded more patience in focus locking under these conditions.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Olympus E-P5:

  • Pros: Accurate face detection, reliable for portraits and still subjects
  • Cons: Slower AF on moving subjects, less effective continuous tracking

• Samsung NX300:

  • Pros: Fast hybrid AF excels in tracking motion, dense AF points for precision
  • Cons: Occasional focus hunting in low contrast scenes

Display and Viewfinder - Composing Your Shots with Ease

Both cameras lack built-in electronic viewfinders but feature tilting displays to suit creative angles.

The Olympus has a 3-inch, 1037k-dot capacitive touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, ideal for framing and intuitive menu navigation. The Samsung’s slightly larger 3.3-inch screen uses an Active Matrix OLED panel at 768k dots, imparting vibrant colors and excellent contrast.

The Samsung display is more vivid and visible under bright daylight but with a lower pixel count. Olympus has higher resolution but slightly less punch. Both are touch-enabled but lack full touch shutter support, meaning you use touchscreen mainly for AF point selection and menu interaction.

The absence of a built-in EVF may limit composition for those wearing glasses or in very bright environments, but Olympus offers an optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder accessory.

Video Capabilities - What Can You Expect?

Although primarily stills cameras, video has become almost mandatory.

• Olympus E-P5:

  • Full HD (1920x1080) at 30p, encoded in H.264
  • Built-in stereo mic
  • No mic/headphone jacks or 4K support
  • Sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage
  • Slow sync flash/video not applicable

• Samsung NX300:

  • Full HD video at 30p with MPEG-4 & H.264 codecs
  • No microphone or headphone ports
  • No in-body stabilization (requires stabilized lenses)
  • No 4K or enhanced video functions

I found Olympus video slightly better stabilized, producing smoother, less jittery clips when shooting handheld without gimbals or lenses with OIS. Samsung’s videos are crisp owing to higher sensor resolution but rely heavily on optical image stabilization in lenses or external support.

Neither camera is suited for professional video workflows, but they both deliver solid entry-level video capabilities for casual shooters and enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Both cameras use rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs and support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

• battery life: about 330 shots per charge on each; typical for mirrorless models of their generation.
• Single card slot in both, standard USB 2.0 data transfer, HDMI output for live playback.
• Samsung includes NFC support for quick pairing; Olympus lacks NFC but has wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi.
• Neither supports Bluetooth.

In daily use, the Olympus’s battery lasted slightly better during prolonged handheld shooting with image stabilization active, but real-world endurance is similar, so carrying a spare is highly recommended.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Lens availability and compatibility matter for long-term growth.

• Olympus E-P5: Micro Four Thirds mount offers access to a widespread, mature ecosystem of over 100 lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, ranging from compact primes to professional-grade telephotos and macro optics.
• Samsung NX300: Samsung NX mount lenses numbered about 32, which is modest in comparison and now discontinued post-Samsung’s mirrorless exit. While lens quality is good, the limited selection restricts expansion options, especially specialized lenses for macro, telephoto, or ultrawide photography.

Opting for Olympus unlocks arguably the most versatile lens line in the mirrorless space, ensuring you have gear solutions for virtually all genres.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let’s break down how both cameras fare in various popular photography disciplines based on my extensive field trials:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-P5: Sensor-based 5-axis IS assists slow shutter handheld shots; accurate face detection aids focusing; Micro Four Thirds crop (~2.1x) slightly restricts shallow depth of field but manageable with fast primes.
• Samsung NX300: Larger APS-C sensor yields more natural bokeh and richer skin tones; extensive AF points and faster focusing improve capture rate; however, lack of IBIS means careful shutter speed management needed.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung NX300: Higher resolution and dynamic range capture exceptional detail and tonal gradation; better suited to wide-angle lenses in APS-C format; lack of weather sealing limits rugged outdoor use.
• Olympus E-P5: Slightly lower resolution but superb stabilization for tripod-less HDR bracketed shots; extensive MFT lens options including weather-sealed choices; more compact albeit lower pixel count.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Samsung NX300: Hybrid AF system and high frame rate ensure more successful tracking; APS-C sensor better paired with telephotos for reach; lighter body aids portability in field.
• Olympus E-P5: AF slower and less adept at continuous tracking; 9fps burst speed equal but less practical due to focus; solid IBIS helps but no telelens ecosystem parity.

Street Photography

• Olympus E-P5: Compact and discreet, with touch screen helpful for quick AF point changes; superior build feels more durable for daily carry; superior sensor stabilization aids low-light handheld shots.
• Samsung NX300: Slimmer form, vibrant OLED screen ideal for street shooting previews; faster AF helps spontaneous capture; depth of field control better but potentially more conspicuous.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-P5: MFT system has excellent macro lens selection and IBIS for fine focusing control; sensor size limits shallow DoF effect compared to APS-C but focus stacking unavailable.
• Samsung NX300: Adequate macro lenses exist but fewer options limit choices; no IBIS increases need for tripod or lens-based stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography

• Samsung NX300: Superior high ISO RAW performance for cleaner night sky shots; manual controls supported; OLED screen aids preview in dark conditions.
• Olympus E-P5: IS supports longer handheld exposures; sensor lags slightly behind in noise levels; screen less suited for preview in complete darkness.

Video Use Cases

• Olympus E-P5: Better handheld video stabilization is crucial for run-and-gun shooting.
• Samsung NX300: Slightly sharper footage but requires stabilized lenses or rigs for smooth output.

Travel Photography

• Tie, based mainly on personal preference. Olympus offers built-in IBIS and more rugged feel; Samsung is lighter and has vibrant display for composition. Both fit easily in backpacks.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera targets professional studios, but:

• Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds files integrate well into Adobe and Capture One workflows; limited sensor resolution.
• Samsung’s APS-C files offer more flexibility for post-production crops and large prints.

Summary of Key Performance Ratings

By evaluating these scores, both cameras perform competitively for their class and era, but Samsung NX300 holds a modest overall edge due to sensor advantages and autofocus.

Sample Images: Side-by-Side Gallery

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Samsung NX300 screen back

From my testing, Samsung’s images exhibit better detail and noise handling. Olympus’s files have a distinct color signature - warmer tones and slightly less noise reduction - which some may prefer aesthetically, especially for portraits.

Who Should Buy Which? Clear Recommendations

Choose the Olympus E-P5 if:

• You want a tactile, retro-modern camera with classic dials and excellent ergonomics.
• Sensor-based 5-axis stabilization is critical for you, especially handheld low-light shooting.
• You value a robust lens ecosystem for diverse photographic pursuits.
• You shoot a lot of stills and video handheld and want smooth footage without external rigs.
• Your budget is tight (priced around $400 used) but want a capable enthusiast camera.

Choose the Samsung NX300 if:

• You prioritize image quality in resolution, color depth, and low-light performance.
• Fast autofocus and moving subject tracking are important for your workflows (sports, wildlife).
• You appreciate a bright OLED screen that enhances composition and review.
• You plan to print large or crop aggressively.
• You don’t mind a smaller lens selection and more plastic-feel body for lighter weight.

Final Thoughts: A Mirrorless Camera Pair That Still Holds Value

In 2024, the Olympus E-P5 and Samsung NX300 occupy an intriguing segment at the crossroads of mirrorless evolution. While newer models have surpassed them technologically, their design choices and specific strengths make them attractive for certain niches and budgets.

I encourage you to handle both if possible - experience the Olympus’s solid dials and stabilization or Samsung’s responsive AF and vivid display. Consider what photographic genres you enjoy and how these cameras’ qualities match your style.

Above all, remember that lenses and technique often outweigh modest hardware differences. Whichever you choose, these cameras can still delight and deliver remarkable images when put to skilled use.

Thank you for reading this expert comparison. May your next camera truly inspire your creative vision!

End of Comparison Article