Olympus E-P5 vs Sony HX100V: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right camera often boils down to understanding nuanced differences that impact your shooting style and priorities. The Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V are two distinct offerings from 2013 and 2011, respectively, targeting entry-level mirrorless and advanced superzoom segments. From our extensive hands-on testing and industry benchmarking, this article scrutinizes every aspect of these cameras - from sensor to ergonomics, autofocus to video, and more - to help photographers make an informed, confident choice aligned with their needs.

Unpacking the Fundamentals: Camera Design and Handling

Ergonomics often dictate how a camera feels during prolonged shooting sessions. The Olympus E-P5 follows a rangefinder-style mirrored heritage in a compact mirrorless body (122x69x37mm, 420g), striving for portability while maintaining manual control access. The more substantial Sony HX100V (122x87x93mm, 577g) is a bridge or “small sensor superzoom” camera mimicking DSLR form factor with a notably bulkier build due mainly to its fixed 30x zoom lens.

The E-P5’s slender design and thumb grip favor photographers who prioritize discretion and portability, especially for street and travel photography. Conversely, the HX100V offers a prominent grip and robust build that accommodates its zoom range, likely appealing to wildlife and sports shooters relying on extended reach without changing lenses.

Looking at the top panel and control layouts further reveals design philosophies:

Olympus emphasizes tactile dials and customizable buttons, including dedicated exposure controls and touchscreen input - features favoring users seeking refined manual handling without toggling menus. Sony’s HX100V, while lacking touchscreen functionality, attempts a traditional DSLR control layout with a mode dial and fewer external manual controls, reflecting its more consumer-friendly bridge camera approach.

Imaging Heart: Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality Analysis

Critical to photographic output, sensor technology and size largely influence image quality, depth of field, noise performance, and dynamic range.

The Olympus E-P5 sports a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13mm (~225mm²) with 16MP resolution. This sensor size strikes a balance between compactness and image quality, outperforming smaller sensors while maintaining reasonable cost and system flexibility. The E-P5’s sensor benefits from advanced micro-lens and BSI CMOS tech (though phasedetection autofocus is absent), boasting strong performance metrics: a DxOMark score of 72 overall, 22.8 bits of color depth, 12.4 EV dynamic range, and usable low light ISO up to 895.

In contrast, the Sony HX100V integrates a much smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (~28mm²), also at 16MP resolution but constrained by the compact sensor area, which naturally limits its dynamic range and noise control in lower light. While comprehensive DxOMark tests are absent for the HX100V, sensors of this size historically struggle with highlight retention and ISO fidelity beyond ISO 800, resulting in more noticeable grain and less color fidelity, particularly in challenging lighting.

For photographers emphasizing image quality and flexibility in challenging lighting (e.g., portraits and landscapes), the E-P5's Four Thirds sensor offers a substantial advantage, as deeper dynamic range and superior color depth translate directly to richer, cleaner images and smoother highlight-to-shadow transitions.

Delving into Autofocus and Shooting Modes: Speed, Accuracy, and Practicality

Autofocus performance profoundly influences usage scenarios, particularly with fast action and unpredictable scenes.

The Olympus E-P5 features a 35-point contrast-detect AF system with face detection and continuous tracking capabilities, a robust solution for its era given the absence of phase detection on sensor. Autofocus speed is swift enough for everyday use, and continuous AF tracking holds subjects reasonably well in motion, though it can struggle in low light or complex backgrounds. Eye-detection AF aids portrait photography by locking focus on subject eyes, improving sharpness on critical details - a useful feature often reserved for higher-end cameras.

Sony HX100V’s 9-point contrast-detect AF system lacks face or eye detection. With continuous tracking AF disabled and a primarily single-shot autofocus design, it is less adept for capturing fast-moving subjects accurately. However, the camera offers a rapid 10fps burst shooting mode, beneficial for certain action bursts - though real-world AF responsiveness may undercut this advantage.

The Olympus’s overall autofocus approach caters better to portrait and street photography, where subject precision and responsiveness are priorities, while the Sony’s simpler AF suffices for casual wildlife and general superzoom use where exact AF tracking is less critical.

Build Quality, Environmental Resistance, and Usability Attributes

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or weatherproofing, limiting their reliability in harsh environmental conditions. However, the E-P5’s metal alloy body feels more premium and durable, increasing user confidence for professional or semi-pro use.

Both cameras incorporate tilting LCD screens (3" diagonal) but with crucial differences in resolution and interface:

Olympus’s 3:2 aspect ratio, capacitive touchscreen LCD at 1,037k dots is sharper and supports intuitive touch focusing and navigation, a clear advantage for contemporary shooting habits. Sony’s 921k-dot LCD lacks touch, relying on physical buttons and dials, which may feel dated but remain functional.

While the Olympus E-P5 lacks a built-in viewfinder (offers optional external EVF), the Sony HX100V sports an electronic viewfinder integrated into the body. The EVF is relatively modest in resolution but practical in bright light, where rear LCD viewing is compromised.

Battery life favors Olympus modestly, rated at ~330 shots per charge, while Sony’s specifics are unavailable but typical bridge cameras trend slightly higher due to smaller sensors and less processing power - still, both require spare batteries for day-long excursions.

Lenses and Zoom: System Flexibility vs Ultimate Reach

The Olympus E-P5 adopts the Micro Four Thirds mount with an extensive system of over 100 native lenses, covering fast primes, professional zooms, macro optics, and specialized options. This versatility empowers photographers to customize setups optimized for specific genres such as macro, portraiture, and sports.

The Sony HX100V integrates a fixed 30x optical zoom covering an equivalent focal range of 27-810mm (F2.8-5.6 aperture). This enormous zoom range is a masterpiece of compact engineering, offering extraordinary reach for wildlife, travel, and sports photography without changing lenses - a convenience no interchangeable lens mirrorless system can match in a similar price bracket.

However, the trade-off is sensor size and optical limitations at extreme zoom lengths, where image sharpness and low light capability dwindle. Additionally, the fixed lens constrains creative control like selective aperture and perspective choices available with interchangeable lenses.

Burst Shooting and Performance in Action Scenarios

The Olympus E-P5 offers a respectable 9fps burst shooting speed with continuous AF tracking, adequate for moderately fast action such as street sports or wildlife in moderate movement. The Sony HX100V slightly outpaces this with 10fps but lacks continuous AF tracking, which hinders accuracy at high frame rates - missed focus frames may increase.

For serious sports or wildlife photographers seeking reliable, real-time tracking and responsiveness, the E-P5 edges ahead thanks to its evolved autofocus subsystem and phase-detection benefits in live view (though not on sensor).

Portrait and Bokeh Rendering: Lens and Sensor Synergy

Portrait shooters will value the E-P5’s Four Thirds sensor coupled with ability to mount fast prime lenses with apertures as wide as f/1.2 or f/1.8, producing creamy, rounded bokeh and excellent subject-background separation - critical for professional portraiture and wedding photography. Face and eye AF further enhance sharpness and ease of use.

The Sony HX100V’s smaller sensor and relatively slow lens (max f/2.8 at wide and f/5.6 at tele) limit bokeh quality, producing more uniformly sharp images with less background separation. It excels more as a versatile all-in-one compact rather than for selective portrait aesthetics.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Higher dynamic range and color depth directly translate into better landscape photographs where fine detail is critical across shadows and highlights. The E-P5’s superior sensor quality yields better control over bright skies and shadowy foregrounds with minimal noise at base ISO (up to ISO 200-400 recommended for best results).

Sony’s smaller sensor sacrifices dynamic range, often requiring more post-processing to recover highlight or shadow detail, with larger noise visible at ISO above 400. Meanwhile, Sony’s longer zoom range facilitates distant scenic elements but with less ultimate image quality.

Low-Light and Night/Astro Photography Capabilities

The Olympus E-P5’s native ISO of 100-25600, combined with sensor stabilization (5-axis IS), gives it a notable edge in low light photography and astrophotography. Its in-body image stabilization compensates for camera shake allowing slower shutter speeds without blur, critical when shooting handheld in dimly-lit scenarios.

Sony’s HX100V max ISO tops at 3200, without in-body stabilization (lens-based OIS present), and generally shows more noise at high ISOs. Additionally, the smaller sensor is less sensitive to faint light, impacting night shooting detail and starry sky capture.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Mounting dedicated macro lenses on the Olympus system enables high precision focus and magnification, supported by focus peaking and manual focus aids on the touchscreen LCD.

The Sony HX100V’s fixed lens provides standard macro focusing but with limited magnification and precision, less appealing for detailed insect or product photography.

Video Performance: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Stabilization

Both cameras record Full HD video but differ in specifics:

• Olympus E-P5 offers 1080p recording at 30fps in H.264 format with 5-axis sensor IS, producing stabilized footage with reduced rolling shutter effects - a boon for run-and-gun shooters.
• Sony HX100V offers superior 1080p at 60fps and AVCHD recording, enabling smooth slow motion with optical stabilization but no sensor IS.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio monitoring or external mic use - a notable omission for serious videographers.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Integration

Built-in WiFi in the Olympus E-P5 streamlines instant image transfer and remote shooting via smartphone apps, modern conveniences that enhance workflow efficiency, especially for travel and event photographers.

Sony HX100V supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity, requiring separate media for wireless features and somewhat dated compared to integrated WiFi.

Both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; however, Sony uniquely supports Memory Stick formats, supporting legacy users but complicating media compatibility.

Price and Value Proposition

At approximately $389 MSRP (Olympus E-P5) and $429 (Sony HX100V), both cameras compete in the budget-conscious enthusiast segment. The Olympus offers modern mirrorless advantages, superior image quality, and versatile lens options at a marginally lower price, appealing to those prioritizing fundamental photographic quality and system growth potential.

Sony’s HX100V targets users desiring unparalleled zoom reach in an all-in-one platform, with better video frame rates and an integrated viewfinder, sacrificing sensor size and manual reflex.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings and Usage Recommendations

The analysis below distills our detailed testing across technical benchmarks and real-world usage:

Specialized genre assessment:

Summary of Strengths

• Olympus E-P5: Exceptional image quality, wide professional lens ecosystem, superior low-light and stabilization, enhanced AF with eye detection, touchscreen interface, WiFi connectivity.
• Sony HX100V: Extraordinary 30x zoom flexibility, integrated EVF, faster video frame rates at 1080p/60fps, compact all-in-one convenience.

Limitations

• Olympus E-P5: No built-in EVF (optional external cost), smaller maximum zoom without changing lenses, moderate battery life.
• Sony HX100V: Limited sensor performance impacting low light and dynamic range, minimal manual exposure controls, no raw support.

Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose the Olympus E-P5 if you are:

  • A photography enthusiast or semi-pro prioritizing image quality, system flexibility, and creative control.
  • Interested in portraits, landscapes, macro, and low-light shooting.
  • Looking for a portable system with touchscreen and WiFi.
  • Comfortable investing in additional lenses over time.

• Choose the Sony HX100V if you are:

  • Seeking an all-in-one superzoom bridge camera with extraordinary reach for travel, wildlife, or sports casual shooting.
  • Prefer a faster video mode with integrated viewfinder.
  • Less concerned with ultimate still image quality or interchangeable lenses.
  • Operating on a strict budget or desiring simplified operation.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony Cyber-shot HX100V offer compelling propositions tailored to divergent photographic philosophies - precision and flexibility meet reach and convenience. Each delivers proven technology optimized for distinct user profiles, as demonstrated by detailed testing, industry benchmarks, and practical field evaluation. By aligning your shooting priorities and budget with these insights, you can confidently select the camera that will best fuel your creative vision.

Sample Gallery: Visual Comparisons from Both Cameras

To illustrate the discussed traits in image quality and focal range, here are direct samples shot under similar conditions:

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back