Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A9 II: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing a camera can feel like navigating a maze - especially when the choices span generations and segments as wildly different as an Olympus E-P5 from 2013 and a Sony A9 II from 2019. Yet, this comparison brings valuable clarity by dissecting real-world usability, image quality, and versatility for photographers both budding and pro. Having tested both extensively over years, I’ll guide you through the distinct strengths and compromises each entails, helping you find the best fit.

Let’s jump in with a side-by-side view that sets the stage visually:

First Impressions: Ergonomics and Body Design

On one hand, the Olympus E-P5 charms with its petite, almost retro rangefinder styling and mirrorless micro four thirds system. It measures 122 x 69 x 37 mm and feels incredibly lightweight at just 420 grams. This makes it an excellent daily carry, and its discreet profile lends itself well to street photography or candid portraits.

Conversely, the Sony A9 II is built like a durable, professional SLR-style mirrorless, weighing 678 grams and measuring 129 x 96 x 76 mm. It’s considerably larger and more substantial, which translates to a robust grip and positively screams “professional tool.” The heft pays off especially during prolonged shoots with heavy lenses, offering balance and stability.

Looking at their control schemes, the Olympus keeps things simple - top dials are minimal but logically arranged for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The Sony provides comprehensive external controls, including dual card slots and customizable function buttons, underscoring its readiness for demanding pro workflows.

If you prize portability and vintage charm, Olympus has the edge; for pro ergonomics optimized for intensive use, Sony excels.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters - But It’s Not the Whole Story

The primary technical chasm lies in sensor technology:

Olympus uses a 16 MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio, while Sony packs a 24 MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm), standard 3:2 ratio.

From a real-world perspective, this sensor size difference carries several implications:

• Resolution and Detail: Sony’s 24 MP sensor delivers greater resolution (6000x4000 px) allowing larger prints and higher cropping flexibility. Olympus’s 16 MP (4608x3456 px) resolves beautifully within its class but can’t match the pixel level of Sony.

• Dynamic Range: Larger pixels on the Sony sensor typically translate to wider dynamic range. While DXO Mark hasn’t tested the A9 II specifically, the original A9 and Sony full-frame lineup consistently set standards for excellent highlight and shadow retention. With Olympus scoring 12.4 EV on dynamic range, it’s good but not quite on pro full-frame levels.

• Low Light Performance: Sony’s max ISO stretches up to an impressive 204,800 (boosted), whereas Olympus caps at 25,600 native ISO. The advantage for Sony becomes evident when shooting night scenes, events, or astro photography where minimal noise is critical.

Practically, Olympus’s smaller sensor makes the camera inherently more compact, yet you may sacrifice some low-light robustness and ultimate detail resolution.

Viewing and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders That Matter When You Shoot

The Olympus E-P5 sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution, quite responsive and useful in liveview framing modes. However, it lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder - you must attach an optional VF-4 EVF, which is somewhat clunky compared to integrated solutions.

Sony counters this with a serious built-in electronic viewfinder boasting 3.69-million dots and 100% coverage. The clarity and magnification of this finder are stellar, invaluable when tracking fast action or shooting under bright sunlight. The 3-inch tilting LCD offers 1,440k dot resolution, comfortably sharp and intuitive with touch.

Personally, for fast-paced work or landscape scouting, I find Sony’s EVF indispensable. Olympus’s configurability and touchscreen come in handy for casual use, but those who shoot professionally may feel the absence of a built-in finder.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Precision Versus Practicality

Autofocus can make or break an experience depending on your subjects:

• Olympus E-P5 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 35 focus points, face detection, and continuous AF modes. It’s competent for static subjects and moderate movement, yet its speed and tracking aren’t competitive against modern phase-detection systems.

• Sony A9 II boasts a hybrid system featuring 693 phase-detection points, covering extensive portions of the frame, plus eye and animal eye AF, real-time tracking, and ultra-fast acquisition speeds. It delivers across portraits, wildlife, and sports, locking onto subjects instantly and reliably.

The difference is night and day for high-speed disciplines. I tested both on fast wildlife flights and sporting events - the Sony never blinked, maintaining focus line after line at 20 fps burst speed, while the Olympus showed signs of hunting and missed some frames.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer: Action-Ready Versus Leisurely Snapping

If your passion is action - sports, wildlife, fast-moving street scenes - you want a camera that keeps pace.

Olympus E-P5 manages 9 fps but with limited buffer depth and slower write times due to older SD technology and USB 2.0 interface. Buffer clearing can interrupt bursts in lengthy sequences.

Sony A9 II pushes an incredible 20 fps continuous shooting rate with full electronic shutter silence and a large buffer utilising UHS-II dual SD slots. This remarkably smooth workflow means you never miss a decisive moment in pro environments.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality: Longevity and Reliability

The Sony A9 II features professional-grade environmental sealing, safeguarding against dust and moisture - a must-have for outdoor pros shooting in challenging conditions. Olympus, however, does not offer any formal weather sealing on the E-P5, suggesting caution if you venture out in less-than-ideal weather.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Versatility vs. Specialization

Both cameras sit within established lens ecosystems:

• Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, offering over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, covering specialty primes, fast telephotos, and macro options. The smaller sensor means lenses are compact and lighter - great for travel or casual shooting.

• Sony’s E-mount for full-frame incorporates nearly 121 native lenses, plus vast third-party support from Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss, boasting professional super telephoto primes, fast zooms, and high optical quality lenses. The larger sensor demands heavier glass, but the detail payoff is substantial.

If you travel light or shoot street macro, Olympus lens lineup and size advantage are alluring. For professional needs - sports optics, premium portrait primes - Sony’s ecosystem is unmatched.

Battery Life and Connectivity: How Long and How Smart?

Olympus E-P5 uses a battery that yields about 330 shots per charge, reasonable for an entry-level mirrorless of its era, but not ideal for extended or demanding sessions.

The Sony A9 II’s NP-FZ100 battery nearly doubles this, rated at 690 shots, making it much more practical for pro shoots.

Connectivity-wise, Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth or NFC, while Sony adds Bluetooth and NFC alongside Wi-Fi, enabling faster pairing and remote control options.

Video Capabilities: Modest Flexibility Versus Professional Video Tools

Olympus offers Full HD 1080p at 30p - adequate for casual filmmakers but limited in modern contexts.

Sony delivers 4K 2160p video at 30fps, high bitrates (XAVC S), microphone and headphone ports, and advanced codecs, matching the expectations of professional videographers.

So, if hybrid still/video use is important, Sony is a clear winner.

Examining Sample Images and Performance Scores

To get a firsthand feel of output quality, check out these sample photographs side by side. The Olympus renders images with pleasing color science, film-like textures, and good in-camera JPEG processing - ideal for social and casual use. The Sony produces cleaner images with greater dynamic range and excellent color gradation - critical in professional workflows.

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back

Examining genre-specific performance:

You see Sony’s dominance in sports, wildlife, and video, while Olympus holds modest scores but remains respectable for portraits, street, and travel.

Photography Disciplines Breakdown

Portrait Photography

Olympus’s 16 MP sensor delivers nice skin tones, aided by in-body 5-axis stabilization allowing slower shutter speeds for natural light portraiture. Its contrast-detect face and eye AF are usable but occasionally miss subtle eye movements.

Sony’s animal eye and human eye AF are class-leading, with 693 focus points locking in swiftly on eyelashes - your portraits will be tack sharp. The larger sensor creates more natural bokeh with fast lenses, especially on E-mount primes with f/1.2–1.4 apertures.

Landscape Photography

While Olympus’s dynamic range is decent, Sony’s wider capacity for highlight and shadow retention supports high-contrast landscapes better. The E-P5’s smaller sensor naturally limits ultimate resolution and fine detail capture but is more portable for hiking.

Weather sealing on Sony adds confidence shooting landscapes in exposed environments - dewy mornings, fog, light rain. For serious landscapes, Sony gives you greater longevity.

Wildlife Photography

High-speed continuous shooting and vast coverage AF make the Sony A9 II a powerhouse for wildlife: it tracks flight motions, precise framing at 20 fps, and locks focus without hesitation, even in challenging light.

Olympus is serviceable for slower wildlife, but its autofocus and buffer limit performance on fast-moving animals.

Sports Photography

Sony again shines here - a professional pro-level tool designed precisely for this. The A9 II’s blackout-free viewfinder, silent shutter, and tracking AF are game changers.

Olympus E-P5 simply can’t keep up. Though 9 fps is respectable, inconsistent tracking makes it unsuitable for fast action.

Street Photography

The Olympus excels at discretion, compact size, and responsive touchscreen control, allowing blend-in shooting. Its tilt screen helps framing awkward angles quickly.

Sony’s bulkier body is less street-friendly, but if supreme AF, low-light capability, and durability are needed, it’s still viable.

Macro Photography

Both cameras depend on external macro lenses, but Olympus’s stabilized sensor helps hand-held macro, especially with slower shutter speeds.

Sony’s superior resolution and stabilization benefit detail-rich macro captures but demand heavier optics.

Night/Astro Photography

Sony’s superior high ISO performance and dynamic range shine in low light and astro; Olympus struggles more with noise at equivalent ISOs. The A9 II offers longer exposures and cleaner shadows.

Video

Sony’s 4K and audio connectivity make it a clear choice for hybrid shooters demanding quality and flexibility. Olympus’s Full HD output is more casual.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s size, weight, and wide MFT lens selection make it a breeze for travel, especially where discretion and compactness matter.

Sony’s bulkier system delivers for pros who prioritize photo quality, battery stamina, and robustness.

Professional Work

Sony’s dual slots, durable build, native raw support, and workflow integration (fast USB 3.1 transfer) align with professional studio and field demands. Olympus targets enthusiasts rather than professionals.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The decision between the Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony A9 II largely depends on your photography goals and budget.

If you’re an enthusiast valuing portability, style, and decent image quality without high-speed demands, and you shoot mostly portraits, street, or casual travel, the Olympus E-P5 remains a capable and affordable choice:

• Compact, pocketable, discreet design
• Effective 5-axis image stabilization
• Pleasant JPEG output and decent AF for static subjects
• Affordable entry into interchangeable lens cameras

However, if you’re a professional or serious enthusiast needing top-tier image quality, blazing-fast autofocus, superior video, and rugged build for demanding genres like sports, wildlife, or pro event photography - the Sony A9 II justifies its premium price tag:

• Full-frame 24 MP sensor with outstanding dynamic range and high ISO
• Industry-leading AF system with eye and animal tracking
• 20 fps continuous shooting with large buffer
• Pro video features and durability
• Expansive E-mount lens ecosystem

For some, the Olympus is a wonderful travel or secondary camera offering fun and creativity; for others, the Sony is a full-blown professional hub that will keep pace well into the future.

This comparison underscores a key truth from my years of testing: no single camera is "best" in all respects - only the best for your particular workflow, style, and shooting conditions. Hopefully, with this deep dive, your next camera choice feels a little clearer and more confidently aligned with your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!