Olympus E-P5 vs Sony HX20V

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-P5 and Sony HX20V, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is very similar but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and HX20V (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The E-P5 was unveiled 15 months after the HX20V making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-P5 grades against the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-P5 Gallery and Sony HX20V Gallery.

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P5 features outside dimensions 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 HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P5 and Sony HX20V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-P5 versus the HX20V.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-P5 and HX20V is 85 and 90 respectively.

Often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P5 and HX20V.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-P5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony HX20V will offer more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more modern E-P5 should have an edge in sensor technology.