Olympus E-P5 vs Sony HX30V

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-P5 and Sony HX30V, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively well matched but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and HX30V (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-P5 was manufactured 20 months after the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-P5 grades against the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-P5 Gallery & Sony HX30V Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P5 features physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P5 and Sony HX30V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-P5 compared to the HX30V.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-P5 and HX30V is 85 and 90 respectively.

Generally, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The picture underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P5 and HX30V.

All in all, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-P5 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony HX30V will give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent E-P5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.