Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX11

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL5 and Samsung NX11, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NX11 (15MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NX11 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL5 was announced 21 months later than the NX11 which makes 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 Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PL5 scores against the NX11 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Samsung NX11. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Samsung NX11 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 enjoys outer 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) while the Samsung NX11 has dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL5 and Samsung NX11 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL5 vs the NX11.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and NX11 is 88 and 80 respectively.

Typically, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and NX11.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL5 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-PL5 will resolve more detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer E-PL5 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.