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Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
65
Overall
48
Olympus Stylus 1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus 1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-300mm (F2.8) lens
  • 402g - 116 x 87 x 57mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Successor is Olympus 1s
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus 1 versus Sony NEX-5N, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the 1 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the 1 (1/1.7") and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The 1 was unveiled 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus 1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the 1 grades against the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 1 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedNovember 2013October 2011More recent by 27 months
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus 1

 NEX-5N 1 

Common features in the Olympus 1 and Sony NEX-5N

 1 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and size. The Olympus 1 enjoys outside measurements of 116mm x 87mm x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") along with a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus 1 versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 against the NEX-5N.

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 and NEX-5N is 79 and 89 respectively.

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will result in more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern 1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 1 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
48
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus 1 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
70
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
very small sensor (1/1.7")
80
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 1 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
43
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (410 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
58
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 1 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
61
good battery pack (410 per charge)
boasts focus by touch
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery (460 shots)
has touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus 1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (410 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus 1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
32
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic support
33
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone support
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Olympus 1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus Stylus 1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus 1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-11-25 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
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
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-300mm (10.7x) -
Max aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-on, off, redeye reduction slow sync, full, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p); high speed: 640 x 480 (120p), 320 x 240 (240p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 402 grams (0.89 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 87 x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 77
DXO Color Depth rating 20.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 12.7
DXO Low light rating 179 1079
Other
Battery life 410 photos 460 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $700 $550