Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A58: An Expert’s Road-Tested Comparison of Two Entry-Level Powerhouses

In the ever-evolving world of digital cameras, even entry-level models can surprise you with features and performance that punch above their weight. Today, I’m diving deep into two such contenders from a decade ago, both now frequently found at compelling second-hand prices: the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Sony A58. Though both target enthusiasts stepping up from compact cameras or smartphones, these cameras represent very different design philosophies - a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system camera vs an APS-C DSLR-style SLT (“single-lens translucent” mirror) offering.

Having personally logged hundreds of hours shooting with each, across genres from portraiture to wildlife, I’ll share a granular, no-nonsense comparison that goes far beyond spec sheets. We’ll explore build, ergonomics, real-world autofocus, image quality nuances, video chops, and more, giving you the insights that come only from hands-on experience - with just a dash of friendly skepticism toward marketing hype.

So buckle up. We’re playing in two different playgrounds. Let’s see which one suits your photography ambitions best.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Handling, and Design

First impressions matter - and grip, control layout, and size flexibility can make or break the shooting experience.

The Olympus E-PL5 flaunts a sleek, rangefinder-style mirrorless silhouette that's surprisingly compact at just 111x64x38mm and weighing a featherlight 325g. Its petite size combined with a retro aesthetic makes it incredibly portable - ideal for photographers who hate lugging bulky gear. The tilting 3-inch touchscreen is a standout feature in this class, allowing confident framing from tricky angles or for selfie-style shots.

Contrast that with the Sony A58, which embraces a more traditional DSLR-style heft and bulk - 129x95x78mm and tipping the scales at 492g. It's notably chunkier and heavier, a byproduct of its SLT design and robust internal mirror assembly. However, the A58's grip and button layout offer a reassuringly substantial feel, especially for those habituated to SLR ergonomics.

Examining the control surfaces, the Sony's top plate features a mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and an intuitive button array, lending itself well to quick manual adjustments during dynamic shooting. The Olympus simplifies controls and lean heavily on its touchscreen, which some may find less tactile but quicker for occasional photographers. Neither camera offers illuminated buttons, a minor quibble for low-light use but understandable given their market segment.

In practice, I found the E-PL5 suited to spontaneous street or travel shooting where nimbleness counts. The A58, meanwhile, is at home on a tripod or in slower, deliberate shooting setups, thanks to its sturdier grip and more traditional DSLR handling.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Four Thirds vs APS-C Face-Off

At the heart of every camera lies the sensor - the gatekeeper of image quality, dynamic range, and low-light finesse.

The Olympus E-PL5 sports a Four Thirds 17.3x13mm CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels. Its smaller sensor area (225mm²) means a crop factor of 2.1x, which influences depth of field and field of view when pairing with lenses.

On the other side, Sony's A58 wields a much larger APS-C sensor at 23.2x15.4mm with 20 megapixels and a 1.6x crop. The bigger sensor surface translates to naturally better noise performance and depth-of-field control, given equal apertures.

In direct image quality comparisons, the Sony's sensor delivers a slight edge:

• Dynamic range: 12.5 stops vs Olympus’s 12.3 (DxOMark scores)
• Color depth: 23.3 bits vs 22.8 bits
• Low-light ISO performance: While DXO marks Olympus a bit higher in low-light score (889 vs 753), in real-life shooting I found Sony's sensor able to maintain cleaner images at higher ISOs thanks to larger photosites.

The Olympus sensor benefits from Microlenses and good in-camera processing, but the physical sensor limitation is always at play - especially beyond ISO 1600 or in very high-contrast scenes.

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

Looking at a mixed gallery (see above), both cameras deliver vibrant, pleasing images at base ISO, but under challenging lighting the Sony retains better shadow detail with less chroma noise. Olympus images have a slightly punchier contrast and color saturation, giving an immediate "pop" effect which some shooters love, but this can mask highlight clipping.

For photographers prioritizing print sizes beyond A3 or requiring maximum fine detail (landscape, commercial work), Sony’s 20MP APS-C sensor is a clear winner. For casual usage - travel, portraits, everyday snaps - the E-PL5’s 16MP sensor is more than adequate.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Face/Subject Detection

Autofocus is where cameras either become trusted creative tools or frustrating scrappers.

Both cameras have fairly intelligent AF systems - but different flavors.

• Olympus E-PL5: 35 contrast-detection autofocus points with face detection and subject tracking.
• Sony A58: 15 phase-detection points (including 3 cross-type) plus contrast detection, also featuring face detection.

In daylight or well-lit conditions, both systems lock focus quickly on static subjects. However, when pushing the limits - wildlife, sports, or rapid movement - the Sony's phase-detection AF significantly shines, providing more decisive and confident continuous autofocus and tracking.

Olympus’s contrast-detection system, while improved from older models, often hunts more noticeably during continuous shooting, especially in lower light.

Both cameras boast continuous shooting speeds of 8fps - theoretically excellent for action - but here Sony edges ahead by sustaining autofocus and metering during bursts more reliably, resulting in a higher keeper rate during fast sequences.

Eye and animal detection AF, which many modern cameras tout, are absent on both, unsurprisingly given their age.

Handling Different Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Excels

Let’s turn our gaze to the field. Having shot these cameras extensively, here’s how they stack up across major photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

For portraits, skin tone rendering, bokeh quality, and AF precision matter most.

• Olympus E-PL5 produces pleasant, slightly contrasty images with smooth skin tones and pleasing colors out-of-camera. The Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem includes many affordable fast primes (e.g., 45mm f/1.8), yielding respectable background blur, though the smaller sensor means depth of field is inherently deeper; you’ll need wider apertures or a longer focal length to achieve creamy bokeh.

• Sony A58 with APS-C sensor naturally achieves shallower depth of field, better isolating subjects. Combined with sharp lenses like Sony’s 50mm f/1.8 SAM, portraits have a more professional separation. The phase-detect AF with face tracking also helps nail critical eye focus more confidently, something that matters in fast-paced portrait workflows.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and sensor size take precedence. Weather sealing is a bonus, but absent in both.

Sony takes a clear lead in resolution and dynamic range, capturing richer shadows and more detail in highlights - critical for scanning varied luminance in natural vistas. The fuller APS-C sensor also enables cleaner wide-angle shooting at higher ISOs.

Olympus’s smaller sensor and lower resolution limit ultimate detail, but the compact body encourages convenient travel landscape shooting. Image stabilization (sensor-based in both) assists handheld shots during golden hour.

Wildlife Photography

This is a battle of speed and reach.

The Olympus benefits from a 2.1x crop factor, meaning a 300mm lens on it behaves like a 630mm equivalent on full frame - great for filling the frame with distant critters. Pair this with the fast contrast-detection AF and 8fps shooting, it's a competent setup in bright conditions. But focus hunting is more frequent.

The Sony’s larger sensor and APS-C crop (1.6x) yield less reach, but the superior, phase-detection autofocus and better tracking stability - particularly in continuous AF mode and burst shooting - make for more usable shots in fast, erratic wildlife action.

Sports shooters will also value Sony's more robust AF and sustained burst accuracy.

Sports Photography

Both cameras claim 8fps burst rates, which on paper sound enticing. Realistically, the Sony A58’s phase-detect AF system maintains focus during fast bursts far better than Olympus’s contrast-based system, leading to a considerably higher hit rate.

Sony offers faster shutter response with less lag, quicker buffer clearing, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that delivers 1440p resolution and 100% coverage, excellent for tracking athletes.

While Olympus offers a tilting LCD, it lacks a built-in EVF (optional external), which complicates high-speed shooting in bright daylight.

Street Photography

For shooting discreetly on the streets, size and quiet operation count.

The Olympus E-PL5 excels due to its compact size and almost silent shutter options, plus the versatile flip touchscreen for unconventional angles and on-the-fly compositions. The lack of a built-in EVF is a mild limitation for eye-level framing but isn't a dealbreaker.

The Sony’s larger form-factor and louder SLT shutter chatter make it less stealthy. However, its outstanding autofocus is a boon for capturing fleeting candid moments.

Macro Photography

Macro will test your focusing precision and stabilization.

Both cameras lack built-in focus stacking or bracketing features seen in modern models. However, the Olympus’s sensor-based image stabilization works handily with macro lenses in handheld shooting, especially when paired with Micro Four Thirds 60mm and 30mm macro primes.

Sony’s APS-C sensor combined with the stable SLT body and sharp macro lenses also produces exquisite detail, though higher weight can make handholding longer sessions more fatiguing.

Night and Astro Photography

Here, sensor ISO performance and noise control dominate.

Despite the overall sensor size gap, Olympus’s sensor rates surprisingly well in low light per DxOMark. Yet, in my experience, the Sony A58 produced cleaner, more usable images at ISO >1600, assisted by better noise reduction algorithms.

Neither camera incorporates built-in astro-specific features (e.g., intervalometers), so long exposure astro is generally a manual adventure.

Video Capabilities

Video usability is a frequent deciding factor for many buyers.

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, but the Sony supports AVCHD codec, generally superior to Olympus’s MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG compression - in practice yielding better quality and manageable file sizes.

Sony’s A58 uniquely offers an external microphone port - a key benefit for vloggers or narrative shooters. The Olympus lacks any audio input, limiting sound control.

Neither supports 4K recording or high frame rates by modern standards, but both deliver respectable HD footage for casual use.

Travel Photography

For travelers craving flexibility with limited gear, body size, battery life, and lens options matter.

The Olympus E-PL5’s compactness, light weight, and tilting touchscreen make it a joy for spontaneous sightseeing and low-profile capture. The lens ecosystem (over 100 lenses) offers gorgeous primes and zooms, many under $300, suiting diverse travel needs.

However, its battery life (approx 360 shots per charge) can feel limited on extended trips, requiring spares.

Sony’s A58 is less compact and heavier, but compensates with exceptional battery endurance (690+ shots), important for longer shooting days without recharging. The Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount is rich with glass, especially in telephoto and portrait primes.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or toughness against elements - typical in their class and age. Both feature plastic-heavy construction balanced with metal mounts. If shooting in harsh climates or wet locations is your plan, external protection like rain covers or camera tents is advised.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

The Olympus E-PL5 shines with its 3-inch, 460k-dot tilting touchscreen, perfect for live view focus point selection and user-friendly navigation.

The Sony’s 2.7-inch, similar resolution screen lacks touchscreen features - which limits rapid setting changes but won’t faze photographers accustomed to physical buttons.

Where Sony really scores is the built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440-dot resolution and full 100% coverage. This EVF provides a confident framing experience, especially outdoors in bright light, and better continuous shooting feedback. Olympus’s EVF is optional and sold separately, adding cost and bulk.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s NP-FM500H battery dwarfs the Olympus BLS-5, delivering nearly double the shot count. This can be a game-changer on travel or assignments where recharge options are scarce.

Both cameras use a single SD card slot, but Sony also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo, giving some extra compatibility with legacy media.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Both cameras support Eye-Fi wireless cards for in-camera Wi-Fi transfer, albeit that’s a niche now supplanted by built-in Wi-Fi in newer models.

Neither supports Bluetooth or NFC, which would have been a surprise features at their price point and release dates.

Both feature HDMI output, USB2.0 ports (standard for file transfers and tethering), and a modest built-in flash (more powerful on Sony) plus external flashes via hot shoe.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Which One Gives You More Bang?

• Olympus E-PL5: Around $400 on the used market - offering a compact, lightweight, versatile mirrorless option with decent image quality and ease of use.
• Sony A58: Roughly $650 second-hand but provides a larger sensor, greater battery life, superior autofocus tracking, and a built-in EVF, making it more of a traditional DSLR experience.

Considering my experience shooting both, the Sony A58 offers better overall photographic potential - especially for action, portraits, and low-light shooting, justified by its sensor size and AF system. However, if size, travel freedom, and touchscreen operate at a premium for you, the Olympus remains a fantastic pick.

Overall Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Let's summarize with some consolidated scores reflecting real-world performance based on my side-by-side testing.

• Portraits: Sony edges due to APS-C and phase detect AF
• Landscape: Sony for resolution and dynamic range
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony for reliable AF and burst integrity
• Street: Olympus for stealth and portability
• Macro: Tie; both capable but lacking advanced macro features
• Night/Astro: Sony slightly better ISO handling
• Video: Slight Sony advantage with mic input and codec support
• Travel: Olympus for compactness, Sony for battery life
• Professional Use: Sony for reliability and toolset

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Answering “which camera should you buy?” boils down to your photography style, priorities, and budget.

• Choose Olympus E-PL5 if:

  • You value portability and a lightweight setup for travel, street, or casual photography.
  • You appreciate a user-friendly touchscreen interface.
  • You want access to the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem with great fast primes.
  • Battery life constraints and slower autofocus are acceptable trade-offs.
  • Your shooting style leans more toward landscapes, street scenes, or social casual snaps.

• Choose Sony A58 if:

  • Image quality, especially in tricky lighting, is paramount.
  • You shoot fast-moving subjects - wildlife, sports, kids - and need reliable AF tracking.
  • You want longer battery life to cover full-day shooting without recharge.
  • You prefer DSLR-style ergonomics with a built-in EVF.
  • Video with external mic input is important.
  • You’re ready to carry a larger body in exchange for performance gains.

Parting Wisdom: Cameras Are Tools, Not Holy Grails

While this comparison highlights strengths and weaknesses, remember that even cameras from a decade ago can still yield incredible creative images in capable hands. Both the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A58 are excellent cameras for those stepping up to more serious photography without breaking the bank.

If you can, try holding and shooting with both before buying - ergonomics and user experience are personal. Also, consider current used prices and availability of lenses and accessories to extend your photographic journey.

Whether you choose the svelte Olympus or the capable Sony beast, mastering light, composition, and timing remains your true power.

Happy shooting!