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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

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

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL7
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL6 was manufactured 24 months later than the NEX-5R making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PL6 matches up versus the NEX-5R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-PL6 NEX-5R 
IntroducedAugust 2014August 2012Fresher by 24 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 NEX-5R E-PL6 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

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

 E-PL6 NEX-5R 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL6 features exterior 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL6 against the NEX-5R.

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

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL6 and NEX-5R is 88 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Generally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL6 and NEX-5R.

All in all, each of the cameras feature the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL6 features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF harder. The more modern E-PL6 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography information
86
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
73
offers touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography advice
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL6
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
79
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
31
has touchscreen
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL6 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-08-01 2012-08-29
Physical type 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 99
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 gr (0.72 lbs) 276 gr (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 330 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $750