Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus VG-145

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus VG-145, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the VG-145 (14MP) is very close but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and VG-145 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL5 was manufactured 14 months later than the VG-145 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-PL5 scores against the VG-145 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Olympus VG-145. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Olympus VG-145 Gallery.

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 offers outside dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-145 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus VG-145 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL5 against the VG-145.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and VG-145 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and VG-145.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL5 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will result in extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images much more aggressively. The younger E-PL5 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.