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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Samsung NX5 front
Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Released June 2010
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Samsung NX5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and NX5 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL2 was announced 9 months later than the NX5 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PL2 grades versus the NX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Samsung NX5

 E-PL2 NX5 
ReleasedFebruary 2011June 2010More recent by 9 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Olympus E-PL2

 NX5 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Samsung NX5

 E-PL2 NX5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 provides exterior dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Samsung NX5 has specifications of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 versus Samsung NX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the NX5.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and NX5 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and NX5.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 with its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Samsung NX5 will give more detail with its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher E-PL2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography advice
Samsung NX5 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX5 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography details
Samsung NX5 Sports photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (280 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
52
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 shots)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Samsung NX5
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (280 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
63
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Samsung NX5
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery (280 per charge)
no Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Samsung NX5 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
24
comes with face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Samsung NX5
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Samsung NX5
General Information
Make Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Samsung NX5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-11 2010-06-01
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V DRIM Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 15
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Number of lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 499g (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 images 400 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $499