Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony QX30

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony QX30, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and QX30 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL5 was unveiled 23 months prior to the QX30 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PL5 scores vs the QX30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery and Sony QX30 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 offers outside measurements 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 QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony QX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL5 compared to the QX30.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and QX30 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL5 and QX30.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL5 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony QX30 will offer greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PL5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.