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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Olympus TG-610 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 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 TG-610
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 190g - 96 x 65 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus TG-610, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof and both are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the TG-610 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and TG-610 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL5 was revealed 21 months later than the TG-610 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-610 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-PL5 scores versus the TG-610 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus TG-610

 E-PL5 TG-610 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012January 2011Fresher by 21 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-610 over the Olympus E-PL5

 TG-610 E-PL5 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus TG-610

 E-PL5 TG-610 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 provides external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Olympus TG-610 has proportions of 96mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus TG-610 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 compared to the TG-610.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and TG-610 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The visual underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and TG-610.

All in all, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL5 will give you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-PL5 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL5
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-610
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL5
Street photography with Olympus TG-610
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography advice
Olympus TG-610 Sports photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography highlights
Olympus TG-610 Travel photography highlights
75
features focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
64
weather proof
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography factors
Olympus TG-610 Landscape photography factors
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
43
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-610 as a Vlogging camera
78
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have microphone support
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-610 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus TG-610
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus TG-610
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Olympus TG-610
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2012-09-17 2011-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.9-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 gr (0.72 pounds) 190 gr (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 96 x 65 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 210 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $400 $223