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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Released September 2012
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very close but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL5 was revealed 2 years later than the NEX-5 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL5 scores versus the NEX-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony NEX-5

 E-PL5 NEX-5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012June 2010Fresher by 28 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus E-PL5

 NEX-5 E-PL5 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5

 E-PL5 NEX-5 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with outside dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL5 and the NEX-5.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and NEX-5 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by viewing specs. The visual below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and NEX-5.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus E-PL5 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The newer E-PL5 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography info
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
76
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
52
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
75
includes focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse function
59
good resolution (14MP)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL5
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
missing Timelapse function
68
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
78
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
missing microphone socket
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-09-17 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 gr (0.72 pounds) 287 gr (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 69
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 889 796
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 330 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $400 $599