Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly close but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-P5 was launched 3 years after the NEX-5 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-P5 grades versus the NEX-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-P5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P5 has got physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-P5 vs the NEX-5.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-P5 and NEX-5 is 85 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The picture below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P5 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-P5 due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Olympus E-P5 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher E-P5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.