Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
- Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe E-PL1 was announced very close to the NEX-5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL1 grades against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony NEX-5
| E-PL1 | NEX-5 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus E-PL1
| NEX-5 | E-PL1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 920k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-5
| E-PL1 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | May 2010 |  | June 2010 | Similar generation |
| Focus manually |  | More accurate focus | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 has got outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 vs the NEX-5.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and NEX-5 is 86 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and NEX-5.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-5 will offer extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2010-05-17 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic V | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
| Display resolution | 230k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lbs) | 287 grams (0.63 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 54 | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light rating | 487 | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 pictures | 330 pictures |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-1 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $288 | $599 |