Clicky

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N 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 NEX-5N
(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
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

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.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The 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.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

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

 E-PL5 NEX-5N 
ReleasedSeptember 2012October 2011Fresher by 12 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 NEX-5N E-PL5 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

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

 E-PL5 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

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

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL5
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Street photography factors
85
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
has touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect AF
58
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery power (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography info
75
offers touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse recording
71
good battery power (460 per charge)
has touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
78
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of mic port
33
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Sony 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