Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A57
85 Imaging
52 Features
76 Overall
61
64 Imaging
56 Features
85 Overall
67
Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 420g - 122 x 69 x 37mm
- Released October 2013
- Replaced the Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
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Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-P5 versus Sony A57, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and A57 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-P5 was brought out 13 months later than the A57 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-P5 matches up against the A57 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P5 & Sony SLT-A57. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-P5 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P5 over the Sony A57
| E-P5 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | October 2013 | September 2012 | More recent by 13 months | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 921k | Crisper screen (+116k dot) | |
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Olympus E-P5
| A57 | E-P5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-P5 and Sony A57
| E-P5 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen size |
Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-P5 has physical dimensions 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 A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") and a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).
See the Olympus E-P5 versus Sony A57 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P5 against the A57.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P5 and A57 is 85 and 64 respectively.
Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P5 and A57.
As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The E-P5 features the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF trickier. The more modern E-P5 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-P5 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-P5 | Sony SLT-A57 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-P5 | Sony SLT-A57 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2013-10-03 | 2012-09-13 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 16000 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | 3:2 LCD capacitive touchscreen | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 9.0fps | 12.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.00 m (ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual (1/1 - 1/64) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/320 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 420g (0.93 lbs) | 618g (1.36 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 69 x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 72 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 23.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 895 | 785 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 images | 550 images |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $389 | $1,000 |