Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N
86 Imaging
53 Features
81 Overall
64
89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Launched September 2014
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL6
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL7 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5N (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.
Photography GlossaryThe E-PL7 was announced 2 years after the NEX-5N which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PL7 grades against the NEX-5N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL7 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL7 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL7 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2014 | October 2011 | Newer by 36 months | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 920k | Crisper screen (+117k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus E-PL7
| NEX-5N | E-PL7 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony NEX-5N
| E-PL7 | NEX-5N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL7 has outside dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL7 and the NEX-5N.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL7 and NEX-5N is 86 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL7 and NEX-5N.
As you can tell, the two cameras have the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL7 has got the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The more recent E-PL7 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL7 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL7 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2014-09-01 | 2011-10-03 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | TruePic VII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 81 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | - | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 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 file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 357 grams (0.79 lb) | 269 grams (0.59 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 72 | 77 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 23.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | 12.7 |
| DXO Low light score | 873 | 1079 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 photographs | 460 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-50 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $499 | $550 |