Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N
88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released October 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PL5 was unveiled 12 months later than the NEX-5N so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PL5 grades vs the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL5 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2012 |  | October 2011 | Fresher by 12 months |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-PL5
| NEX-5N | E-PL5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 920k |  | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL5 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial precise focus | ||
| Display type | Tilting |  | Tilting | Tilting display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal display measurement |
| Touch display |  | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-PL5 vs the NEX-5N.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and NEX-5N is 88 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The photograph below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and NEX-5N.
Plainly, both of these cameras have the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL5 contains the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The more recent E-PL5 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2012-09-17 | 2011-10-03 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | - | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 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 | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 325 gr (0.72 lb) | 269 gr (0.59 lb) |
| 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 score | 72 | 77 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 23.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.3 | 12.7 |
| DXO Low light score | 889 | 1079 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 pictures | 460 pictures |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-5 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $400 | $550 |