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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was released 3 years prior to the NEX-5R which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1 matches up against the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony NEX-5R

 E-PL1 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus E-PL1

 NEX-5R E-PL1 
ReleasedAugust 2012May 2010Newer by 27 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-5R

 E-PL1 NEX-5R 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 has exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 against the NEX-5R.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and NEX-5R is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specs. The image here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and NEX-5R.

All in all, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will result in more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5R
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Street photography factors
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
has no phase detect AF
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
73
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography advice
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
31
touchscreen enabled
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-05-17 2012-08-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 99
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 276g (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 13.1
DXO Low light rating 487 910
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 330 photographs
Battery format 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 feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $288 $750