Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
- Launched February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5N
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.
Photography GlossaryThe E-PL2 was introduced 9 months later than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PL2 matches up versus the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony NEX-5
E-PL2 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2011 | June 2010 | Fresher by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus E-PL2
NEX-5 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
Screen resolution | 920k | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony NEX-5
E-PL2 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 and the NEX-5.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and NEX-5 is 85 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and NEX-5.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-5 will resolve extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern E-PL2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-02-11 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 pounds) | 287g (0.63 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 114 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 Overall score | 55 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.2 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 573 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 images | 330 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $0 | $599 |