Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


80 Imaging
55 Features
50 Overall
53
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Launched November 2011
- Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
- Released June 2010

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is very similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and NX5 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

The E-PM1 was announced 18 months after the NX5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PM1 scores against the NX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Samsung NX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Samsung NX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung NX5
E-PM1 | NX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 18 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Olympus E-PM1
NX5 | E-PM1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung NX5
E-PM1 | NX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Samsung NX5 has measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the NX5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and NX5 is 89 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and NX5.
Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Samsung NX5 will deliver extra detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern E-PM1 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX5 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX5 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-11-23 | 2010-06-01 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VI | DRIM Engine |
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 | 12 megapixel | 15 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Number of lenses | 107 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 11.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 gr (0.58 lb) | 499 gr (1.10 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 400 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $499 | $499 |