Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-5R

Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was manufactured 21 months prior to the NEX-5R making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PL1s grades vs the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s features physical measurements 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 specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s and the NEX-5R.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and NEX-5R is 86 and 89 respectively.

Often, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and NEX-5R.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will provide you with more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older E-PL1s will be behind with regard to sensor technology.