Olympus 8000 vs Sony NEX-5

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus 8000 vs Sony NEX-5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the 8000 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the 8000 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The 8000 was launched 11 months prior to the NEX-5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 8000 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 8000 scores versus the NEX-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus 8000 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus 8000 has external dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 182 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Examine the Olympus 8000 vs Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the 8000 against the NEX-5.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 8000 and NEX-5 is 94 and 89 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The graphic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 8000 and NEX-5.

To sum up, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 8000 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-5 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older 8000 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.