Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210
88 Imaging
51 Features
72 Overall
59


90 Imaging
61 Features
57 Overall
59
Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Launched September 2012
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 222g - 117 x 63 x 37mm
- Launched August 2012
- Old Model is Samsung NX200
- Updated by Samsung NX300

Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NX210 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NX210 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

The E-PL5 was revealed 2 months after the NX210 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL5 grades against the NX210 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Samsung NX210. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Samsung NX210 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Samsung NX210
E-PL5 | NX210 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX210 over the Olympus E-PL5
NX210 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+154k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Samsung NX210
E-PL5 | NX210 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2012 | ![]() | August 2012 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 has got external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Samsung NX210 has specifications of 117mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL5 against the NX210.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and NX210 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The picture underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and NX210.
To sum up, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL5 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX210 will produce more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Samsung NX210 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Samsung NX210 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Samsung NX210 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-09-17 | 2012-08-14 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Available lenses | 107 | 32 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 614 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 8.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 325g (0.72 lbs) | 222g (0.49 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 117 x 63 x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | 71 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.3 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light score | 889 | 719 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | BC1030 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $400 | $625 |