Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-5T
86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62
89 Imaging
57 Features
79 Overall
65
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
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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.
Photography GlossaryThe 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.
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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
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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 |