Olympus E-PL5 vs. Sony NEX-3N: In-Depth Comparison of Two Entry-Level Mirrorless Cameras

Choosing the right entry-level mirrorless camera often feels like navigating a jungle of specs and gimmicks, especially when both contenders hail from respected brands, and offer similar price tags and feature sets. Today, I’m putting the Olympus PEN E-PL5 head-to-head with the Sony Alpha NEX-3N, two compact rangefinder-style mirrorless shooters aimed at enthusiasts ready to step up from point-and-shoots or smartphones. With both launched within a year of each other (Olympus in late 2012, Sony in early 2013), they embody the state of mirrorless tech just before it exploded in popularity.

I’ve spent significant hands-on time testing these cameras across various photography disciplines, and in this article, I’ll share a deep dive into their design, image quality, autofocus, video, and more. Whether you’re capturing portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or street scenes, this honest comparison will help you arrive at the right choice for your style and budget.

Let’s get started by looking at how these cameras physically feel and handle - a fundamental factor often underestimated but crucial for longer shoots and versatility.

Compact Design Meets Ergonomics: Handling and Build Quality

At first glance, both the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-3N embrace the mirrorless ethos of compactness, but subtle differences in dimensions and weight impact handling comfort and grip security. Physically, the Olympus measures 111 x 64 x 38 mm and weighs about 325 grams (with battery and card), while the Sony is slightly smaller at 110 x 62 x 35 mm and lighter at 269 grams. The micro four-thirds sensor of the Olympus is housed in a marginally chunkier body due to the larger sensor’s flange focal distance and image stabilization hardware inside, compared to Sony’s APS-C sensor.

The Olympus’s slightly more pronounced grip and traditional control placements lend it a firmer, more confident hold especially for users with larger hands or those venturing into telephoto lenses. On the other hand, the Sony’s minimalist design and reduced bulk win points for discrete street photography and travel use where packing light is king.

Build quality for both cameras is typical for their pricing tier - predominantly polycarbonate bodies without weather sealing. They are sturdy enough for casual enthusiast use but not suited for harsh or wet environments. Neither offers shockproof or freeze-proof features.

Top-Down View: Control Layout and Usability Under the Hood

Examining the top plates reveals how Olympus leans slightly more toward manual control and quick parameter access. The E-PL5 features distinct dials for mode selection and exposure compensation, alongside dedicated buttons for ISO and drive modes - allowing faster tactile adjustment without diving into menus.

The Sony NEX-3N opts for a cleaner, simplified top with fewer physical controls, relying more on a quick menu system and rear dial for exposure tweaks. While this minimalism appeals to users transitioning from automatic cameras and smartphone interface habits, it adds friction for those who prefer shooting fully manual or aperture/shutter priority modes frequently.

Both cameras omit electronic viewfinders natively, though Olympus offered an optional external EVF for the E-PL5 - a sore point if you want to compose away from bright sunlight or require eye-level shooting comfort. Sony’s NEX-3N lacks any EVF option at all. Instead, they rely exclusively on the rear LCD for live view. More on that shortly…

Sensor Size and Image Quality Essentials: Resolution Meets Technology

Here’s where the two cameras fundamentally differ and where your image results will diverge. The Olympus E-PL5 sports a 16MP Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, while the Sony NEX-3N uses a 16MP APS-C sensor that’s notably larger at 23.5 x 15.6 mm. The latter means approximately 60% more sensor area for Sony, theoretically capturing more light, delivering better dynamic range, noise performance, and depth-of-field control.

Technically, both sensors incorporate anti-aliasing filters which smooth moiré patterns but can slightly soften microcontrast. The Olympus sensor shines with a respectable DxOMark color depth score of 22.8 bits and 12.3 stops dynamic range, while the Sony marginally edges ahead with 22.8 bits color depth and 12.5 stops dynamic range. When pushed high ISO, Sony's sensor exhibits cleaner image quality, handling ISO 16000 as native top ISO, whereas Olympus tops out at ISO 25600, though practically usable quality dips much earlier.

Resolution wise, Sony’s sensor offers a 4912 x 3264 pixel max image size (approx 16MP) with a 3:2 aspect ratio, suiting broader printing and cropping flexibility. Olympus produces 4608 x 3456 pixels at a 4:3 aspect ratio, matching Micro Four Thirds system standards.

Ultimately, users prioritizing image quality, especially in low light or wanting more creative shallow depth of field portraits, will find the Sony’s APS-C sensor a notable advantage. But the Olympus’s sensor provides resolution and detail very capable for web publishing and moderate enlargement.

Viewing and Composing: Rear LCD and Viewfinder Review

Neither camera comes with a built-in viewfinder, a restrictive factor for users accustomed to DSLR-style eye-level composition, or those working in bright outdoor conditions. The Olympus does offer an optional external electronic viewfinder accessory (VF-2) that attaches via hot shoe, a slight workaround at added cost and bulk.

Both the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-3N feature 3-inch tilting LCD screens with identical 460k dot resolution, suitable for composing from awkward angles - a boon for macro, landscapes, or vlog-style shooting. The Olympus screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to tap to focus, which is notably handy for fast selection especially in live view or video modes. Sony’s implementation foregoes touchscreen support but retains responsive manual controls.

In real-world usage, the Olympus’s touch tilt screen enhances speed and ease, especially for learners or those who prefer a direct “point and shoot” experience. For photographers who prefer physical dials and buttons, Sony’s approach is cleaner but less intuitive for touchscreen-dependent users.

Autofocus Systems: From Single Shots to Continuous Tracking

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems without phase-detection AF pixels, typical for entry-level mirrorless at the time, with Olympus implementing 35 AF points and Sony 25.

In single AF mode, both lock focus fairly reliably in good light but Olympus’s face detection delivers a smoother experience, especially with its live view touch AF. Sony’s AF lacks face and eye detection, a downside for portrait shooters who want a more automated focusing experience.

Continuous AF tracking fares better on the Olympus with 8 fps full-resolution burst photography supporting AF tracking - ideal for capturing fleeting moments or casual wildlife and sports action at entry-level. The Sony nips along at 4 fps with no continuous tracking. This makes Olympus more suited for fast-moving subjects, albeit still with caveats due to contrast-based AF lag in low light or fast action.

Neither camera offers specialized animal eye AF or phase detection, so expect some hunting in challenging lighting or for very quick subjects.

Image Stabilization and Lens Ecosystem: What’s on Offer?

Olympus E-PL5’s standout feature is its built-in 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization - an advanced technology ensuring blur reduction regardless of lens used, beneficial for hand-held low-light shooting, macro work, and general versatility. Shooting stills or video benefits equally.

Sony NEX-3N does not incorporate in-body stabilization, relying on optical IS if your lenses have it. This aspect significantly impacts user experience, especially with longer focal length lenses or slower apertures.

Lens compatibility is another crucial consideration. Olympus, using the Micro Four Thirds mount, taps into a deep, mature ecosystem with over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - excellent breadth of primes, zooms, macro, and specialty glass.

Sony E-mount at the time had fewer lenses (around 120), but rapidly growing. Quality primes and zooms were present, but lacking some specialized lenses that Micro Four Thirds enjoyed. Both mounts benefit from adaptable lenses, but Olympus’s system is historically more adaptable and cost-effective on the budget.

Burst Rates and Buffer Performance

Olympus offers a rapid 8fps continuous shooting speed with AF tracking, a compelling feature for capturing action or wildlife bursts. Sony’s 4fps speed is slower, adequate for casual use but limiting for sports photographers or wildlife enthusiasts. Buffer depth on both cameras is limited due to their entry-level design and processing power, but Olympus’s faster FPS helps maximize those bursts efficiently for short sequences.

Video Capabilities: Recording, Stabilization, and Formats

Both the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-3N record Full HD 1080p video, with maximal resolution of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 fps.

Olympus supports MPEG-4, H.264, and Motion JPEG compression formats, whereas Sony records in MPEG-4 and AVCHD. AVCHD generally yields higher quality and efficiency, but Olympus’s broader format support offers more compatibility with editing software.

Importantly, Olympus has built-in sensor-based image stabilization, a massive advantage for smoother handheld video. The Sony lacks any form of stabilization, which may make handheld recording jittery unless stabilized lenses are used or an external gimbal.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, limiting sound recording options to built-in microphones. This is often a dealbreaker for serious video content creators, but entry-level users may find it sufficient.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Sony’s NEX-3N enjoys an edge in battery performance with CIPA rated 480 shots per charge versus Olympus E-PL5’s 360. This adds up for longer travel or event shoots where charging opportunities are limited.

Both accept a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, but Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Pro Duo - a legacy format which might not be a selling factor but can be handy for users with legacy media.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Olympus E-PL5 supports Eye-Fi wireless connectivity - which allows wireless image transfers via compatible SD cards, useful for quick sharing or backing up on the go. Sony NEX-3N does not support any wireless protocols out of the box, limiting immediate image sharing capabilities.

Neither camera offers Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS - features which were rare in entry-level models of their respective vintage.

Bringing It Together: Performance Ratings and Real-World Results

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Sony NEX 3N front Sony NEX 3N screen back

Image quality between these two cameras is quite close in good light, with both producing detailed, sharp images with pleasing color rendition straight out of the box. The Olympus produces slightly punchier colors with its in-camera processing, while Sony renders a more neutral palette requiring less post-processing.

In portrait applications, Olympus shines with reliable face detection autofocus and impressive in-body stabilization to enable sharper handheld shots at longer focal lengths, especially with fast prime lenses. Its 4:3 sensor framing also suits classic portrait composition with slightly more vertical capture.

Landscape photography users benefit from Sony’s larger APS-C sensor, offering increased dynamic range and higher resolution, which combined with its wider 3:2 aspect ratio, provides slightly more framing flexibility. However, Olympus’s weather and dust sealing absence limit rough outdoor conditions.

Specialized Photography Use Case Verdicts

• Portraits: Olympus E-PL5 with face detect AF and 5-axis stabilizer nudges ahead for improved eye focus and hand-held sharpness.
• Landscape: Sony NEX-3N’s sensor size and image detail win for large prints and cropping flexibility.
• Wildlife: Olympus’s faster burst and continuous AF tracking assist action capture, but Sony’s bigger sensor can help in subject isolation.
• Sports: Olympus is favored due to 8 fps and tracking AF.
• Street: Sony’s smaller size and lighter body favor discreet shooting, but lack of touch AF may slow operation.
• Macro: Olympus’s IBIS and touch focus make tight close-ups easier.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s higher ISO performance delivers cleaner results.
• Video: Olympus wins with in-body stabilization and flexible codecs.
• Travel: Sony’s battery life and compactness score, but Olympus’s stabilization helps shaky conditions.
• Professional: Neither is truly professional-level, but Olympus’s control layout and stabilization justify semi-pro usage.

Final Thoughts and Buyer Recommendations

So, which to pick? Both cameras occupy the entry-level mirrorless niche but cater to slightly different priorities.

If you prize speed, stabilization, and hands-on control, particularly for portraits, sports, video, or macro, the Olympus E-PL5 is recommended. Its Micro Four Thirds mount ensures you can tap into an impressive lens ecosystem, too.

Conversely, if image quality, battery endurance, and portability rank higher for you, especially for landscapes, travel, or street photography, Sony NEX-3N’s larger sensor and lightweight build are enticing.

Price-wise, they overlap around $400 new (occasionally less used), representing great value for enthusiasts stepping beyond smartphones. Both remain capable cameras in 2024 for beginners and hobbyists.

Wrapping Up

Both Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-3N represent significant milestones in early mirrorless camera evolution. My testing shows each camera holds unique strengths, with Olympus favoring control and stabilization, and Sony excelling in sensor capability and battery life.

Whichever you choose, neither will disappoint as your first serious mirrorless camera. Just temper expectations - these models are aged now and have been superseded by faster, higher-res, and more feature-rich successors but for budget-conscious buyers or collectors, these remain respectable entry points.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Comparison Highlights

For hands-on video walkthroughs and sample galleries from both cameras, check out my YouTube review linked above. Feel free to ask in comments below if this detailed comparison helped you decide or if you have specific use-case questions!