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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V front
Portability
66
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V 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
  • Released September 2012
Sony HX100V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 27-810mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 577g - 122 x 87 x 93mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Successor is Sony HX200V
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony HX100V, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the HX100V (16MP) is pretty close but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and HX100V (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL5 was introduced 12 months after the HX100V so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX100V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL5 scores vs the HX100V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Sony HX100V

 E-PL5 HX100V 
LaunchedSeptember 2012October 2011More modern by 12 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX100V over the Olympus E-PL5

 HX100V E-PL5 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony HX100V

 E-PL5 HX100V 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 offers physical dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Sony HX100V has dimensions of 122mm x 87mm x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 577 grams (1.27 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony HX100V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 versus the HX100V.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and HX100V is 88 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and HX100V.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL5 has got the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler. The more recent E-PL5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography details
Sony HX100V Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
39
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography highlights
Sony HX100V Street photography highlights
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (577g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography details
Sony HX100V Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
has no phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (27-810mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography features
Sony HX100V Travel photography features
75
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
54
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (27mm)
great reach (810mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (577 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX100V Landscape photography factors
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (27mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging info
Sony HX100V Vlogging info
78
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have external mic support
25
reasonably wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (577g)
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony HX100V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Sony HX100V
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-09-17 2011-10-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 27-810mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.6
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 pounds) 577g (1.27 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 122 x 87 x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $400 $429