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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2012
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-PL5 was introduced 10 months after the E-PM1 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PL5 grades against the E-PM1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-PL5 E-PM1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012November 2011Newer by 10 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-PM1 E-PL5 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-PL5 E-PM1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with outside dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM1 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus E-PM1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL5 and the E-PM1.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and E-PM1 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and E-PM1.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus E-PL5 to produce extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent E-PL5 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography features
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography details
75
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse function
45
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL5
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
78
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
missing mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-09-17 2011-11-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 265 grams (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 52
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 10.3
DXO Low light rating 889 499
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $400 $499