Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R
88 Imaging
51 Features
72 Overall
59
89 Imaging
56 Features
76 Overall
64
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Announced September 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Launched August 2012
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5N
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is very comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe E-PL5 was revealed within a month of the NEX-5R so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PL5 matches up versus the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony NEX-5R
| E-PL5 | NEX-5R | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus E-PL5
| NEX-5R | E-PL5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 920k | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5R
| E-PL5 | NEX-5R | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2012 | August 2012 | Same age | |
| Manually focus | More precise focus | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurements | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 offers external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 vs the NEX-5R.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and NEX-5R is 88 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and NEX-5R.
To sum up, the two cameras come with the identical MP but different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 includes the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF tougher.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2012-09-17 | 2012-08-29 |
| Body design | 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 | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 99 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | - | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in 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) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 325 gr (0.72 pounds) | 276 gr (0.61 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 72 | 78 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 13.1 |
| DXO Low light rating | 889 | 910 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 images | 330 images |
| Type 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 shooting | With downloadable app | |
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | $400 | $750 |