Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 VA

The following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 VA, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and RX100 VA (1") have different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL5 was released 6 years before the RX100 VA which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PL5 matches up against the RX100 VA in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Sony RX100 VA Gallery.

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 VA in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL5 vs the RX100 VA.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and RX100 VA is 88 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and RX100 VA.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL5 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged E-PL5 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.