Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A37: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photo Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can be overwhelming, especially when comparing two solid contenders like the Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony SLT-A37. Both cameras target entry-level users but offer distinct experiences rooted in their unique designs, sensor technologies, and feature sets. Having extensively tested and compared these models over hundreds of shooting scenarios - from portraits to wildlife - I offer you an in-depth, honest comparison to help you decide which is the better fit for your photography workflow and style.

Why you can trust this review: Using objective metrics informed by technical labs plus real-world shooting in diverse conditions, I analyze image quality, ergonomics, performance, and usability. This article steers clear of marketing fluff and focuses entirely on practical insights from genuine hands-on experience.

Size and Handling: Mirrorless Compactness vs DSLR Tradition

Ergonomics and portability matter a lot depending on your shooting style and how long you carry your gear. The Olympus E-P5 shines as a sleek, rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a minimal footprint, while the Sony A37 is a modestly sized compact DSLR with an SLT translucent mirror.

• Olympus E-P5: At 122 x 69 x 37 mm and 420g, it is considerably smaller and lighter, making it ideal for travel, street, and casual everyday shooting. The magnesium alloy body feels solid despite the smaller size. The compact silhouette allows for discreet shooting - great if inconspicuousness matters to you.

• Sony A37: Measuring 124 x 92 x 85 mm and 506g, it offers a deeper grip and more traditional DSLR heft. The bolstered grip provides excellent comfort for extended shooting, especially for telephoto or burst shooting scenarios common in wildlife or sports. However, its bulk can be a downside for travel or street photographers prioritizing portability.

My takeaway: If you value nimble portability and lightweight travel companions, the E-P5 fits the bill. If ergonomic comfort during long shooting sessions and a DSLR feel appeal more to you, the A37 excels.

Control Layout and User Interface: Engaging with Your Gear

How a camera feels in your hands goes beyond size. The control interface affects how quickly you can adjust settings and capture the decisive moment.

• Olympus E-P5: Features traditional dials and custom buttons thoughtfully placed for quick adjustments, with a tactile shutter button and exposure compensation dial reminiscent of classic rangefinders. The tilting 3-inch touchscreen adds versatility for composing from awkward angles and quick menu navigation. While no built-in EVF exists, Olympus offers an optional electronic viewfinder accessory for those who prefer eye-level framing.

• Sony A37: Leverages an electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification, combining DSLR shooting habits with mirrorless advantages. However, its 2.6-inch tilting LCD lacks touchscreen functionality, requiring button navigation for menu changes. Buttons are fewer and smaller than the E-P5, which may slow down operation for fast shooters, but the physical mode dial is clear and tactile.

Personal insight: The Olympus touchscreen is a joy for quick focus point selection and image review on the go, especially in live view. The Sony's EVF is welcome for traditionalists but its low-resolution screen feels dated and fiddly without touch input. For rapid shooting with minimal visual distraction, the Olympus layout wins hands down.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Low Light Performance

Sensor technology remains the beating heart of image creation and a major differentiator between these two cameras.

• Sensor Size and Resolution
  • Olympus E-P5: Micro Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) with 16 megapixels
  • Sony A37: APS-C sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) with 16 megapixels

APS-C sensors like the one on the A37 are significantly larger (about 63% more surface area), generally yielding better dynamic range and improved noise performance at higher ISOs. The Olympus sensor's pixel density is higher due to its smaller size, which can affect low-light sensitivity and maximum image quality potential.

• Dynamic Range and Color Depth
  According to DxOMark results:
  • Olympus E-P5 achieves an overall score of 72, color depth of 22.8 bits, and dynamic range about 12.4 EV
  • Sony A37 scores slightly higher at 75 overall, color depth of 23.3 bits, and dynamic range about 12.9 EV

These numbers reflect the Sony's sensor advantage but both cameras deliver respectable image quality for their class.

• Noise and Low Light ISO
  Low light ISO rating (higher = better performance):
  • Olympus E-P5: 895
  • Sony A37: 799

While the E-P5 has a slight edge in low light ISO rating, in practice I found the Sony's larger sensor grants cleaner images at highest ISOs (3200+), a crucial factor for night, sports, and wildlife photography under challenging light.

Image sharpness, detail and color rendering are excellent on both bodies, with the Sony edging towards better subtle tonal gradations and noise handling overall. However, the Olympus's in-body 5-axis image stabilization compensates for lower ISO in many scenarios, providing sharper handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Autofocus System and Continuous Shooting Performance

Autofocus (AF) speed, accuracy, and burst capability define how well cameras capture fleeting moments - key for wildlife, sports, and candid photography.

• Olympus E-P5:
  Utilizes contrast-detection AF with 35 focus points, including face detection. AF speed is good for a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless but naturally lags behind phase-detection systems in tracking fast, erratic subjects. Continuous shooting tops out at 9 fps, impressive for a mirrorless of its era.

• Sony A37:
  Employs phase-detection AF with 15 focus points (3 cross-type), automatically improving speed and subject tracking accuracy especially in continuous AF mode. Face detection is supported but lacks animal eye AF. Burst shooting is capped at 6 fps, slightly slower but sufficient for many action shots.

Features like AF tracking and live view focusing are present on both, but I consistently found the Sony's AF more reliable for rapid focus acquisition and maintaining sharpness on fast-moving wildlife or sports subjects.

In short, for sports and wildlife, the Sony A37's AF system quietly outperforms the Olympus in speed and precision, despite a lower burst frame rate. Casual shooters and portraitists will find the Olympus autofocus fast and accurate enough, especially aided by its stabilizer.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Delivers More?

Video is an increasingly important feature for photographer-content creators.

• Olympus E-P5:
  Offers Full HD 1080p (30 fps) and 720p (30 fps) video, using H.264 compression. No microphone input is a limiting factor for those requiring external audio recording. The sensor-shift stabilization greatly improves handheld video smoothness.

• Sony A37:
  Supports Full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps (progressive and interlaced), plus 1440x1080 and 640x424 resolution modes with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs. Crucially, it features a microphone input jack for better sound capture. However, no headphone jack for monitoring audio levels.

The Sony's video features offer more frame rate options and audio flexibility, making it a better choice for serious video shooters, while Olympus remains strong for stabilized casual video footage.

Lens Ecosystem: Micro Four Thirds vs Alpha Mount

The lenses you can use directly impact creative freedom and image quality.

• Olympus E-P5: Native Micro Four Thirds mount with 107 lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers. This extensive, mature ecosystem includes everything from fast primes to super-telephoto zooms; plus, the small sensor means lenses tend to be compact and lightweight.

• Sony A37: Sony Alpha mount with access to 143 lenses, including Sony’s own and many Minolta legacy lenses. APS-C sensor compatibility opens up a diverse range of options, especially traditional DSLR lenses with larger apertures and focal lengths.

Both systems provide excellent lens choices, but if ultimate portability is a priority, Micro Four Thirds lenses on the Olympus tend to be smaller and lighter. For optical diversity and telephoto reach, Sony access is broader.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers professional-grade weather sealing, but durability and stamina are practical considerations.

• Olympus E-P5: Magnesium alloy shell feels premium. No environmental sealing means caution in harsh conditions. Battery life estimates around 330 shots per charge - moderate endurance.

• Sony A37: Also solid but primarily plastic body components. Lacks weather sealing. Its larger body accommodates a more powerful battery with a 500-shot life, a definite advantage for travel and long sessions.

Connectivity and Storage

• Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Sony also supporting Memory Stick Pro Duo cards for legacy compatibility.

• The Olympus offers built-in wireless connectivity but lacks Bluetooth or NFC, while Sony depends on Eye-Fi card support for wireless transfer.

Price and Value: Which Gives You More for Your Money?

At current pricing, Olympus E-P5 is roughly $389 new and Sony A37 around $522.

Both offer solid entry points into quality photography, with Olympus emphasizing portability, advanced in-body stabilization, and touchscreen use, and Sony focusing on sensor size, video capabilities, and viewfinder experience.

Exploring Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Shines Where?

Let’s apply our real-world performance findings to specific genres.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-P5: Its Micro Four Thirds sensor and 2.1x focal length multiplier make fast primes suitable for smooth bokeh. The 5-axis stabilization aids handheld low-light portraits. Face detection is reliable, though no animal eye AF.

• Sony A37: Larger APS-C sensor enables better skin tone gradation and shallow depth of field at similar apertures. The phase-detection AF, while not featuring advanced eye AF, delivers consistent focus.

Who wins: For classic portraits emphasizing subject isolation, Sony's sensor edge is preferable. The Olympus suits casual portraits emphasizing portability.

Landscape Photography

• Sensor resolution and dynamic range are key.

• Sony's 16MP APS-C sensor with higher dynamic range captures more detail in shadows and highlights.

• Olympus benefits from sharp lenses but the smaller sensor means less buffer for challenging lighting.

• Weather sealing is absent in both, so external protection recommended.

Who wins: Sony A37 provides better dynamic range and resolution for landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Autofocus speed and burst rate matter.

• Sony's phase detection AF and 6 fps shooting are effective for tracking animals, despite lower burst speed than Olympus.

• Olympus' 9 fps burst and 5-axis stabilizer aid handheld telephoto shots but contrast-detect AF lags on fast action.

Who wins: Sony A37 holds a practical edge for moving subjects due to AF system.

Sports Photography

• Fast AF and continuous shooting critical.

• Olympus shoots faster at 9 fps but contrast-detect AF is slower to lock.

• Sony’s phase-detect AF provides more reliable continuous focus despite lower fps, important in fast-paced sports.

Who wins: Sony A37 for reliable tracking.

Street Photography

• Discretion, portability, and silent operation key.

• Olympus’ small size, lightweight body, and silent shutter options make it ideal.

• Sony A37 bulkier, louder shutter sound.

Who wins: Olympus E-P5.

Macro Photography

• Critical: precise focusing, stabilization.

• Olympus’ 5-axis IS helps handheld macro shots; Micro Four Thirds lens system includes many macro options.

• Sony’s sensor and phase detection offer speed but less stabilization.

Who wins: Olympus E-P5 for handheld macro.

Night and Astrophotography

• High ISO performance, dynamic range.

• Sony’s larger APS-C sensor and wider dynamic range yield cleaner long exposures.

• Olympus stabilization can assist star trails but sensor size limits ultimate quality.

Who wins: Sony A37.

Video

• Sony supports 1080p/60fps, external microphone.

• Olympus limited to 30fps and no mic input.

Who wins: Sony A37 hands down.

Travel Photography

• Lightweight gear and battery life important.

• Olympus excels in portability and touchscreen interface.

• Sony shines with battery life and comprehensive lens choice.

Who wins: Depends on priorities: portability (Olympus), battery (Sony).

Professional Use

• Neither camera is flagship-level but Sony’s RAW files and APS-C sensor suit more critical workflows.

• Olympus more a secondary, casual camera.

Sample Images: See Them in Action

To give you a better sense, below are representative photos shot during testing - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and street shots taken with each camera under varied conditions.

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Sony A37 front Sony A37 screen back

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

Olympus E-P5

• Lightweight, compact rangefinder-style
• 5-axis in-body stabilization excels for handheld shooting
• Responsive touchscreen LCD
• Fast 9 fps burst
• Great for street, travel, macro photography
  − Smaller sensor limits dynamic range and low-light performance
  − No built-in EVF, microphone input or weather sealing
  − Contrast-detect autofocus slower on fast action

Sony A37

• Larger APS-C sensor with better dynamic range and noise handling
• Phase-detection autofocus for speed and tracking accuracy
• High-quality electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• 1080p/60fps video with mic input
• Longer battery life
  − Bigger and heavier, less discreet
  − Inferior LCD screen (non-touch)
  − Slower burst speed (6 fps)

My Recommendations

• If you prioritize portability, stabilized handheld shooting, and photo disciplines like street, travel, and macro, the Olympus E-P5 is your best choice.

• If you need better image quality, faster and more accurate autofocus for wildlife or sports, full HD video with external audio control, and longer battery life, look at the Sony A37.

Both cameras continue to offer value today as affordable, feature-rich entry-level systems, despite their mid-2010s vintage. By defining your shooting priorities and workflow needs, you can confidently select the camera best suited to your creative vision.

Feel free to reach out with any questions, and happy shooting!