Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56


89 Imaging
65 Features
74 Overall
68
Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs
(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
- Released May 2013
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Introduced August 2014
- Succeeded the Sony a5000

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and a5100 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

The E-PM2 was brought out 15 months prior to the a5100 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PM2 matches up against the a5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Sony Alpha a5100. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Sony a5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Sony a5100
E-PM2 | a5100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Olympus E-PM2
a5100 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2014 | ![]() | May 2013 | Fresher by 15 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony a5100
E-PM2 | a5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has measurements of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony a5100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM2 vs the a5100.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and a5100 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and a5100.
Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony a5100 will offer greater detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony a5100 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Sony Alpha a5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Sony Alpha a5100 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-05-21 | 2014-08-17 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 179 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
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 | 269 gr (0.59 lbs) | 283 gr (0.62 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 72 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 932 | 1347 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 shots | 400 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $448 | $448 |