Clicky

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL7
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5R
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very well matched but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PL6 was brought out 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PL6 scores versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Sony NEX-5N

 E-PL6 NEX-5N 
ReleasedAugust 2014October 2011Fresher by 35 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-PL6

 NEX-5N E-PL6 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Sony NEX-5N

 E-PL6 NEX-5N 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL6 has got external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL6 vs the NEX-5N.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL6 and NEX-5N is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specs. The photograph here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL6 and NEX-5N.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The E-PL6 uses the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The more recent E-PL6 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL6
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
no phase detect autofocus
58
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 shots)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
85
has focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
70
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging highlights
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
33
touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL6 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-08-01 2011-10-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 360 images 460 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $300 $550