Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony QX100

The following is a complete review of the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony QX100, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the QX100 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and QX100 (1") enjoy different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-PL5 was unveiled 11 months before the QX100 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PL5 scores versus the QX100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery and Sony QX100 Gallery.

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 has 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) and the Sony QX100 has dimensions of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") having a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL5 versus Sony QX100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PL5 vs the QX100.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and QX100 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and QX100.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL5 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Sony QX100 will provide extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PL5 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.