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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Launched May 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-4
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-6
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and TG-5 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL1 was revealed 8 years prior to the TG-5 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-PL1 grades versus the TG-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus TG-5

 E-PL1 TG-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus E-PL1

 TG-5 E-PL1 
LaunchedMay 2017May 2010More recent by 85 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus TG-5

 E-PL1 TG-5 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 offers exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Olympus TG-5 has measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL1 versus the TG-5.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and TG-5 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and TG-5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1 has got the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field easier. The older E-PL1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
39
focusing manually
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Olympus TG-5
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography details
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography details
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
46
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
68
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
weather proofing
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average (250g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography information
Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
57
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery life (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
Olympus TG-5 Vlogging information
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
34
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than average (250 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Olympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus Tough TG-5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2010-05-17 2017-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 340 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $288 $449