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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 III front
Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III 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
  • Launched September 2012
Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Older Model is Sony A7 II
  • Renewed by Sony A7 IV
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony A7 III, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and A7 III (24MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and A7 III (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL5 was revealed 6 years before the A7 III and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL5 matches up vs the A7 III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony A7 III

 E-PL5 A7 III 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Olympus E-PL5

 A7 III E-PL5 
IntroducedFebruary 2018September 2012Fresher by 66 months
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A7 III

 E-PL5 A7 III 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with physical measurements 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 Sony A7 III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony A7 III in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-PL5 compared to the A7 III.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and A7 III is 88 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and A7 III.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A7 III will offer you more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL5
Portrait photography with Sony A7 III
71
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
84
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Street photography camera
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery pack (610 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography advice
Sony A7 III Travel photography advice
75
has focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
73
good battery pack (610 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography details
Sony A7 III Landscape photography details
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
85
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery pack (610 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging factors
Sony A7 III Vlogging factors
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no microphone jack
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A7 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A7 III
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Sony Alpha A7 III
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Sony Alpha A7 III
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-09-17 2018-02-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 693
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 96
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 14.7
DXO Low light rating 889 3730
Other
Battery life 360 shots 610 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Retail price $400 $1,998