Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
- Introduced February 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Successor is Olympus E-PL3
(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
- Launched August 2012
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL2 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

The E-PL2 was introduced 18 months before the NEX-5R which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL2 scores vs the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony NEX-5R
E-PL2 | NEX-5R |
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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus E-PL2
NEX-5R | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 18 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony NEX-5R
E-PL2 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides outside measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 versus Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL2 vs the NEX-5R.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and NEX-5R is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and NEX-5R.
To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2011-02-11 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic V | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 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 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 lb) | 276g (0.61 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 114 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 | 55 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.2 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $0 | $750 |