Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T
86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62


89 Imaging
58 Features
79 Overall
66
Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Released September 2016
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL7
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Introduced August 2013
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5R

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony NEX-5T, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5T (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

The E-PL8 was unveiled 3 years later than the NEX-5T and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-PL8 matches up against the NEX-5T in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL8 and Sony Alpha NEX-5T. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery and Sony NEX-5T Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Sony NEX-5T
E-PL8 | NEX-5T | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2016 | ![]() | August 2013 | Fresher by 38 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 922k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5T over the Olympus E-PL8
NEX-5T | E-PL8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Sony NEX-5T
E-PL8 | NEX-5T | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL8 offers outside dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5T has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony NEX-5T in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL8 and the NEX-5T.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and NEX-5T is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL8 and NEX-5T.
All in all, each of these cameras have the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL8 has the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF trickier. The newer E-PL8 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Sony Alpha NEX-5T | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Sony Alpha NEX-5T |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2016-09-19 | 2013-08-27 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 99 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
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 size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | 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 speed | 8.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.00 m (ISO100) |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 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 x1080 (60p/60i/24p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 357 grams (0.79 lbs) | 276 grams (0.61 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" 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 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1015 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $500 | $400 |