Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX10 III: In-Depth Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing a camera today means diving deep into specs, performance, and real-world usability to find one that fits your style, budget, and aspirations. In this detailed comparison, I put the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III head to head, examining every aspect that matters - from sensor technology to ergonomics, autofocus to video capabilities. Both came from different eras and serve almost different photography philosophies, yet understanding their strengths and trade-offs gives us a great lens into how camera design balances versatility, image quality, and specialized features.

Having extensively tested well over a thousand cameras - ranging from entry-level mirrorless to professional-grade superzooms - I’ll guide you through the nuances you won’t get from marketing sheets alone. By the end, you’ll have a clear vision whether the compact, stylish E-PL5 or the powerhouse RX10 III is the right tool for your photographic journey.

Getting Physical: Size, Build, and Handling

Our first impression of any camera often comes from how it feels in hand, the control layout, and portability for day-to-day use. The Olympus E-PL5 is a classic entry-level mirrorless with a rangefinder-style body that champions compactness without sacrificing control. It weighs a mere 325g and measures roughly 111 x 64 x 38 mm. In contrast, the Sony RX10 III is a significantly larger bridge-style camera with SLR-inspired ergonomics, tipping the scales at 1051g and dimensions of 133 x 94 x 127 mm.

Holding both reveals how differently they approach user interaction. The E-PL5’s small, light frame slides easily into a jacket pocket or small bag, an ideal companion for street or travel photographers who prioritize discretion and pace. Its tilting 3-inch touchscreen adds a layer of intuitive control and live composition flexibility, especially for creative angles or selfies.

The RX10 III, meanwhile, feels like a robust tool - heft and size conveying a sense of durability and confidence beneficial for wildlife tracking or holding steady during long telephoto shots. Its deep grip and tactile control dials, including a top-mounted screen for quick settings review, appeal to photographers who want full command without lugging multiple lenses.

An important note: The E-PL5 lacks weather sealing, a drawback if you shoot in challenging environments, whereas the RX10 III is weather-sealed, an advantage for outdoor professionals or serious enthusiasts.

Examining top controls confirms these impressions. The Olympus offers an approachable dial and mode selection with touchscreen complement. The Sony sports a more sophisticated button/dial setup and an integrated electronic viewfinder with 2,359k-dot resolution - not present on the Olympus - which makes composing in bright light or tracking moving subjects more precise.

Bottom line: If portability and ease of use with basic controls matter most, the E-PL5 excels. For demanding handling and ruggedness, the RX10 III takes the crown.

Imaging Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality often boils down primarily to sensor size, resolution, and processing capabilities. The Olympus E-PL5 features a Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized at 17.3 x 13 mm - significantly smaller than full-frame but a standard in Micro Four Thirds. Its 16MP resolution (4608 x 3456 pixels) offers sharp, detailed images suitable for enthusiasts stepping up from smartphones or compact cameras.

The Sony RX10 III uses a 1-inch type BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, and despite being smaller than Four Thirds, it packs 20MP resolution (5472 x 3648 pixels), enabling richer detail and flexibility in cropping, especially with its high-quality Zeiss 24-600mm lens.

Running these sensors through standardized DxOMark scores demonstrates their respective strengths and weaknesses. The Olympus scores a respectable overall 72, notable for superior dynamic range (12.3 EV) and low-light ISO performance (score 889). This means it captures extended tonal gradations and maintains cleaner images in dim lighting, valuable for landscape and portrait shooters.

Sony's RX10 III, while scoring slightly lower overall at 70, offers improved color depth (23.1 bits vs Olympus’ 22.8), slightly better dynamic range (12.6 EV), but falls short on low-light ISO sensitivity (472), likely reflecting the smaller sensor size. However, its advanced BSI technology helps reduce noise better than typical compact sensors.

I found in practice the Olympus’s sensor paired with Micro Four Thirds lenses creates punchy, accurate skin tones and smooth bokeh rendition, especially when paired with fast prime lenses. The Sony’s sensor excels in sharpness and detail at base ISO, delivering clean files great for landscapes and wildlife when combined with its versatile superzoom.

Implications for photography disciplines:

• Portraits: Olympus’s larger sensor area and excellent color reproduction aid flattering skin tones and natural bokeh.
• Landscapes: Sony’s broader reach and resolution offer fine detail capture over varying focal lengths.
• Low-light: Olympus has a slight edge for noise control and ISO latitude.

Autofocus and Performance: Tracking and Speed

Autofocus systems make or break many shooting scenarios. Here the Olympus E-PL5 features a contrast-detection AF with 35 focus points, touch-enabled AF, face detection, and continuous tracking. It lacks phase-detection pixels, meaning AF can be slower and less reliable in fast-action or low-light situations.

On the other hand, Sony’s RX10 III uses hybrid AF with 25 contrast-detection points and sophisticated tracking algorithms embedded in its Bionz X processor. Although it lacks phase detection on sensor, its lens-integrated linear motors and Fast Intelligent AF system enable continuous shooting at 14 fps with AF tracking - almost double the E-PL5’s 8 fps.

Real-world testing highlights:

• The Olympus autofocus system tends to “hunt” more indoors or in dim light but produces accurate results outdoors with static subjects. Its face detection is solid and helps beginners nail portraits.
• Sony’s AF feels noticeably snappier and more reliable for wildlife or sports, with quick lock-on to moving animals or athletes and reliable continuous focus during bursts.

Given these observations, the RX10 III suits action-packed scenarios better; Olympus is fine for general photography but may frustrate action shooters.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders

Being able to accurately frame and review shots is vital. Both cameras include a 3-inch tilting LCD panel, but Sony’s boasts a higher resolution of 1,229k dots versus the E-PL5’s 460k dots, providing a sharper, clearer view in live view mode or playback.

Moreover, the Sony RX10 III stands out thanks to its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,359k-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.7x magnification, a feature the Olympus lacks. Having an EVF is indispensable for bright day shooting where LCDs suffer from reflections and limited visibility. The Olympus offers an optional external EVF, which adds cost and bulk.

For photographers who rely on precise composition and prefer eye-level shooting, the RX10 III has a definite advantage. However, those prioritizing casual snap-and-share or vlogging style might appreciate the touchscreen capabilities of the Olympus more.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

One of Olympus’s greatest advantages is its Micro Four Thirds lens mount ecosystem, numbering over 100 lenses ranging from affordable primes to professional zooms and specialty optics. This flexibility means photographers can customize their kit for portraits, macro, or landscapes by choosing ultra-wide to telephoto primes or zooms.

Conversely, the Sony RX10 III is a fixed lens superzoom with a 24-600mm (equivalent) F2.4-4.0 aperture lens - an incredibly versatile range allowing from wide landscapes to distant wildlife without rolling a backpack full of glass.

This comparison frames a fundamental choice:

• Olympus users can change glass to suit genres or creative needs but must invest and carry accordingly.
• Sony users get remarkable reach and convenience via a single camera-lens combo, though at the cost of lens swap flexibility.

The RX10 III’s lens also incorporates optical image stabilization, complementing its sensor-based stabilization to ensure sharp shots even at long focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

The Olympus E-PL5 powers roughly 360 shots per charge, typical of compact mirrorless bodies from its era. It uses the BLS-5 battery pack and supports SD cards.

Sony RX10 III improves slightly with approximately 420 shots per charge with its NP-FW50 battery and can record directly onto a wider range of storage - SDXC and Memory Stick variants - adding some versatility for video shooters.

While neither camera excels dramatically in battery endurance compared to modern counterparts, the RX10 III's bigger battery and higher capacity favor longer shooting sessions in the field.

Video Capabilities for Hybrid Shooters

In recent years, video has become an essential component. The Olympus E-PL5 offers Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, with standard codecs like MPEG-4 and H.264. While serviceable for casual use or web content, the lack of microphone input limits audio control.

Sony RX10 III advances video capabilities substantially - offering 4K UHD (3840x2160) recording at up to 30p, Full HD at 60p, and multiple codecs including AVCHD and XAVC S. Importantly, it features microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring, enhancing its appeal for serious videographers.

While neither camera has the latest stabilization tech for video, Sony’s lens-based optical IS provides smooth handheld footage, making it a more capable hybrid shooter.

Distinctive Features Worth Mentioning

• Olympus E-PL5: Touch autofocus, sensor-based stabilization, compact size, good beginner usability.
• Sony RX10 III: 25x superzoom, telephoto reach, weather-sealed body, high-resolution EVF, pro video features.

Performance Ratings and Genre Analysis

Summarizing their performance with industry-standard scoring:

The Olympus E-PL5 scores a solid 72 overall, while Sony RX10 III sits close at 70, reflecting different strengths in sensor qualities and speed.

Breaking down by photography type:

• Portraits: Olympus leads on color/natural bokeh but lags in AF speed.
• Landscape: Sony’s resolution and zoom excel for diverse framing.
• Wildlife: Sony’s speed and reach are decisive.
• Sports: Sony’s burst and tracking far outperform Olympus.
• Street: Olympus wins for portability.
• Macro: Olympus allows lens switching with dedicated macro optics.
• Night/Astro: Olympus delivers cleaner ISO performance.
• Video: Sony dominates with 4K and audio inputs.
• Travel: Sony’s all-in-one lens trades some compactness for versatility.
• Professional: Sony suits pros requiring durability and advanced features.

Sample Gallery: Visual Differences Under the Lens

Comparing output side-by-side reveals nuanced differences.

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Sony RX10 III front Sony RX10 III screen back

Olympus images show natural skin tones and pleasant depth-of-field with primes. Sony results are razor sharp across focal lengths with vibrant colors. Noise is more controlled on Olympus at high ISO, but Sony’s detail at telephoto focal lengths is unmatched.

Verdict: Who Should Pick Which?

Both cameras offer significant value, but their design philosophies diverge sharply.

Pick the Olympus E-PL5 if you:

• Want an affordable, lightweight mirrorless for portraits, travel, and street.
• Appreciate a touchscreen and intuitive controls.
• Plan to build a lens collection for varied photography styles.
• Occasionally shoot indoors or low light and prefer natural colors.

Choose the Sony RX10 III if you:

• Need a one-camera, vast zoom solution for wildlife, sports, or events.
• Value weather sealing and robust handling.
• Produce video content requiring 4K and audio inputs.
• Require a high-resolution EVF and fast, reliable autofocus.
• Don’t mind a larger, heavier camera bag.

Final Thoughts

Comparing a 2012 entry-level mirrorless with a 2016 flagship superzoom reveals how camera priorities have evolved. The Olympus E-PL5 remains a charming, capable choice for enthusiasts seeking quality images in a compact form, especially if paired with good glass. The Sony RX10 III represents a compelling all-in-one solution for advanced amateurs and pros craving zoom range, speed, and video prowess.

Your choice depends on whether versatility or specialization aligns better with your photographic ambitions. Either way, understanding these cameras with a thorough, hands-on lens allows confident selections without buyer’s remorse.

Happy shooting!