Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3
88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Revealed September 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Later Model is Sony NEX-F3

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

The E-PL5 was introduced 14 months after the NEX-C3 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-PL5 grades vs the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony NEX-C3
E-PL5 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | More modern by 14 months |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus E-PL5
NEX-C3 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-C3
E-PL5 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 provides outside dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-PL5 versus the NEX-C3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and NEX-C3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and NEX-C3.
Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL5 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The fresher E-PL5 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-09-17 | 2011-08-22 |
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 | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 325 gr (0.72 lb) | 225 gr (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 889 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photographs | 400 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $400 | $343 |