Clicky

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(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
  • Revealed September 2012
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-3N
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-F3 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The E-PL5 was introduced 2 months later than the NEX-F3 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PL5 grades against the NEX-F3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL5 NEX-F3 
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 NEX-F3 E-PL5 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL5 NEX-F3 
IntroducedSeptember 2012August 2012Similar age
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account 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") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has measurements of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony NEX-F3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 and the NEX-F3.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and NEX-F3 is 88 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and NEX-F3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 contains the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field harder.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography features
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography features
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
53
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (470 shots)
low fps (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
Travel photography with Sony NEX-F3
75
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
69
good battery pack (470 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no Time Lapse recording
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
Vlogging with Sony NEX-F3
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no mic socket
27
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external mic support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Sony NEX-F3
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL5 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-09-17 2012-08-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 314g (0.69 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 12.3
DXO Low light score 889 1114
Other
Battery life 360 images 470 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $400 $470