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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was manufactured 2 years after the NEX-5 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Sony NEX-5

 E-PM2 NEX-5 
AnnouncedMay 2013June 2010Newer by 36 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus E-PM2

 NEX-5 E-PM2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony NEX-5

 E-PM2 NEX-5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 features external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM2 versus Sony NEX-5 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 depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 and the NEX-5.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and NEX-5 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and NEX-5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-PM2 will produce extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
good resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
66
features touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
59
good resolution (14MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging information
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Sony NEX-5
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-05-21 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 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 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 lbs) 287g (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 69
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.2
DXO Low light score 932 796
Other
Battery life 360 photos 330 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $448 $599