Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Announced September 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5
- Successor is Sony NEX-5R
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Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-PL3 was brought out very close to the NEX-5N and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PL3 matches up versus the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL3 | NEX-5N |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-PL3
| NEX-5N | E-PL3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 920k |  | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL3 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2011 |  | October 2011 | Same generation |
| Manually focus |  | Dial precise focusing | ||
| Display type | Tilting |  | Tilting | Tilting display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal display measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 vs the NEX-5N.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and NEX-5N is 88 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and NEX-5N.
Clearly, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5N will provide you with greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2011-09-20 | 2011-10-03 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic VI | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 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 |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 313 gr (0.69 pounds) | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 52 | 77 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.9 | 23.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 12.7 |
| DXO Low light score | 499 | 1079 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photographs | 460 photographs |
| Style of battery | 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 type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch pricing | $399 | $550 |