Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
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
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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.
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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
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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 |