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Olympus E-P5

 
Olympus PEN E-P5 front
 
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 420g - 122 x 69 x 37mm
  • Announced October 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-P3
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Lenses
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
85
Imaging
53
Features
76
Overall
62

Olympus E-P5 overview

Olympus E-P5 is Olympus's Entry-Level Mirrorless camera originally announced on October of 2013. It has a 16 MegaPixel, CMOS Four Thirds sized sensor and has a peak resolution of 4608 x 3456.

Olympus launched this camera in an effort to upgrade the earlier Olympus E-P3 (Read Full Comparison)

The E-P5 stands at #53 out of 117 in Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and all-around #288 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can look at our Smart camera finder to see camera listings based on your custom criteria.

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Below is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.

Olympus E-P5 family

The Olympus E-P5 comes with a history of related cameras. Underneath, you can discover all past and current models along with important specs.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Olympus-PEN-E-P7 front thumbnailOlympus E-P7
E-P5 vs E-P7
20MPFour Thirds8.7 fps2021
Olympus-OM-D-E-M10-IV front thumbnailOlympus E-M10 IV
E-P5 vs E-M10 IV
20MPFour Thirds8.7 fps2020
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Olympus-PEN-E-PL9 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL9
E-P5 vs E-PL9
16MPFour Thirds8.6 fps2018
Olympus-OM-D-E-M10-Mark-III front thumbnailOlympus E-M10 III
E-P5 vs E-M10 III
16MPFour Thirds8.6 fps2017
Olympus-PEN-E-PL8 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL8
E-P5 vs E-PL8
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2016
Olympus-OM-D-E-M10-II front thumbnailOlympus E-M10 II
E-P5 vs E-M10 II
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2015
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Olympus-PEN-E-PL7 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL7
E-P5 vs E-PL7
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2014
Olympus-PEN-E-PL6 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL6
E-P5 vs E-PL6
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2014
Olympus-OM-D-E-M10 front thumbnailOlympus E-M10
E-P5 vs E-M10
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2014
Olympus-PEN-E-P5 front thumbnailOlympus E-P516MPFour Thirds9.0 fps2013
Olympus-PEN-E-PM2 front thumbnailOlympus E-PM2
E-P5 vs E-PM2
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2013
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Olympus-PEN-E-PL5 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL5
E-P5 vs E-PL5
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2012
Olympus-PEN-E-PM1 front thumbnailOlympus E-PM1
E-P5 vs E-PM1
12MPFour Thirds6.0 fps2011
Olympus-PEN-E-PL3 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL3
E-P5 vs E-PL3
12MPFour Thirds6.0 fps2011
Olympus-PEN-E-P3 front thumbnailOlympus E-P3
E-P5 vs E-P3
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Olympus-PEN-E-PL2 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL2
E-P5 vs E-PL2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Olympus-PEN-E-PL1s front thumbnailOlympus E-PL1s
E-P5 vs E-PL1s
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
Olympus-PEN-E-PL1 front thumbnailOlympus E-PL1
E-P5 vs E-PL1
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
Olympus-PEN-E-P2 front thumbnailOlympus E-P2
E-P5 vs E-P2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
C500 Mark II gets new Cinema RAW Light modes from Canon
Olympus-PEN-E-P1 front thumbnailOlympus E-P1
E-P5 vs E-P1
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2009

Olympus E-P5 Pros and Cons

Below is a selection of advantages and disadvantages of the Olympus E-P5 based on features which are typically seen as important in a camera.

above average flash sync (1/320 seconds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
above average min ISO (100)
boasts focus via touch
exports RAW files
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
has face detect focusing
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has tracking focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes HDMI socket
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
nice clear screen (1,037 thousand dots)
nice screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
screen is touchscreen
screen tilts
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
display isn't selfie friendly
lacks phase detect AF
missing headphone socket
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (420g)
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Olympus E-P5 Sensor info

The sensor dimension in the Olympus E-P5 is 17.3mm x 13mm (Four Thirds). The 225 mm² sensor is able to resolve 4608 x 3456 pixels and aspect ratios of 4:3. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis). Sensor stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter may produce cropping.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 16 megapixels and has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600. RAW files are saved so you have wider room to maneuver in post.

The graphic underneath displays the E-P5's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The E-P5 sensor comes with a crop factor of 2.1 and is showcased in green.

Olympus PEN E-P5 sensor size OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus

To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Olympus E-P5 dimensions

Olympus E-P5 weighs around 0.93 pounds (420 grams / 14.82 oz) and features external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5"). The weight of general Entry-Level Mirrorless camera is 329 grams so the Olympus E-P5 is heavier when compared to its rivals.

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Underneath is a picture of the Olympus E-P5 with a soft drink so you can have a feel for its scale.

Olympus PEN E-P5 dimensions scale

The top view just below will highlight the button layout on the E-P5.

Olympus PEN E-P5 topview buttons dials

Olympus E-P5 Lens info

The E-P5 works with the Micro Four Thirds mount and has 162 lenses to pick from. Below is some of the lenses we have in our database which will fit the E-P5.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Olympus-M.Zuiko-Digital-ED-12-200mm-F3.5-6.3 lensOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm F3.5-6.312-200mmf/3.5-6.3 455g
Olympus-Zuiko-Digital-ED-18-180mm-f3.5-6.3 lensOlympus Zuiko Digital ED 18-180mm f3.5-6.318-180mmf/3.5-6.3 435g
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Samyang-10mm-f2.8-ED-AS-NCS-CS-Four-Thirds lensSamyang 10mm f2.8 ED AS NCS CS10mmf/2.8 580g
Panasonic-Leica-DG-Summilux-25mm-F1.4-II-ASPH lensPanasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 II ASPH25mmf/1.4205g
Lensbaby-Velvet-56-Micro-Four-Thirds lensLensbaby Velvet 5656mmf/1.6 400g
Panasonic-Lumix-G-Macro-30mm-F2.8-ASPH-Mega-OIS lensPanasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm F2.8 ASPH Mega OIS30mmf/2.8 180g
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Panasonic-Leica-D-Summilux-Asph-25mm-F1.4 lensPanasonic Leica D Summilux Asph 25mm F1.425mmf/1.4 510g
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Olympus E-P5 Connectivity

The E-P5 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth compatibility can be used wirelessly by smartphones. You can copy photos and at times change camera settings without connecting straight to the camera.

A few applications even stream a Liveview and press the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera contains a HDMI out, it can be attached to an external display. The majority of cameras enable you to charge the battery through the USB socket.

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Olympus E-P5 Video info

The highest video resolution in the Olympus E-P5 is 1920 x 1080 and it can shoot in H.264 format. 1080p resolution delivers a great balance between quality versus file sizes but FULL HD won't leave you with much room to downsample. The camera doesn't include a mic or headphone port so you have little control over your audio. It is probably best to look at a different model in case you require good audio in your video clips.

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Olympus E-P5 Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing for the Olympus E-P5 so you need to be cautious in wet or dusty situations.

Olympus E-P5 Display and Viewfinder

The Olympus E-P5 has a 3 inch tilting display supporting a resolution of 1,037 thousand dots.

Additionally the display is touch friendly so you will be able to adjust focus points as well as adjust settings using your fingertips.

Olympus PEN E-P5 screen and viewfinder Kodak's Tri-X Black-and-White Film Now 30% Cheaper

The View Finder specs regarding Olympus E-P5 are below:

  • ViewFinder Electronic (optional)

Viewfinders are very useful during sunny outdoor situations which will make the camera display washed out and hard to view.

Olympus E-P5 Shutter info

Olympus E-P5 is able to shoot continuously at 9.0 frames per second. The max shutter speed is 1/8000s.

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Olympus E-P5 Flash and Hot shoe info

Olympus E-P5 includes both inbuilt flash plus external flash ability. The maximum flash sync is 1/320s.

Olympus E-P5 Autofocus info

Olympus E-P5 includes just Contrast Detect Auto Focus and does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker & exact when compared to Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera has Face detect which can be useful for people photography.

The AF system has 35 focus points to select from. Olympus E-P5 has touch to focus. You can use your fingers in order to shift focus points. It also comes with Tracking Auto Focus for things that move. Olympus E-P5 has got manual focus when required during low light conditions or you require more precise focus control.

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Olympus E-P5 Battery life

The battery power for the Olympus E-P5 is fashioned to last for 330 shots according to the CIPA requirements which is similar to its rivals. The typical Entry-Level Mirrorless camera battery life is 343. Fujifilm X-S20 has got the highest (750) battery life within this class of cameras.

Here is a listing of Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras which have the strongest battery life:

Olympus E-P5 for specific categories of photography

The following chart displays a summation of the Olympus E-P5 for specific categories of photography. To learn more, have a look at the specific section underneath.

Olympus E-P5 as a Portrait photography camera

The Olympus E-P5 gets a points tally of 71 which is very good, and means the camera is a fine choice to use for portrait photography. Taking portrait images favors greatly towards sensor size, support for RAW files plus the capability to utilize off-camera lighting.

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has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats

Olympus E-P5 Street photography advice

Getting a fantastic score of 78, the Olympus E-P5 is a brilliant pick to use in street photography. A very good street photography camera offers a fine balance of image quality plus portability.

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screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
heavier than average (420 grams)

Olympus E-P5 Sports photography factors

A very good sports photography points tally of 68 means the Olympus E-P5 is a very decent option for taking photos of sports. A camera really should have great tracking plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF

Olympus E-P5 Travel photography factors

Weight is super crucial in getting a camera for travel. All round, the Olympus E-P5 gets a very good 68 for a travelling camera which makes it a fine pick to take on your trips.

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comes with touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than competitors (420 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen

Olympus E-P5 as a Landscape photography camera

If you find yourself looking to pick a camera for landscape photography, the biggest aspect is going to be image quality. The Olympus E-P5 at it's impressive rating of 79 as a landscape camera is a awesome option compared to its competitors.

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manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats

Vlogging with Olympus E-P5

A vlogging camera preferably should offer a articulating screen, microphone input and if possible image stabilization. Taking all things in to account, the Olympus E-P5 is not very good for vlogging as it gets a low score of 33.

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touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (420 grams)

Olympus E-P5 Alternatives

If you are trying to find alternatives to the E-P5, below is a list of the highest scored cameras which fall in to the class of Entry-Level Mirrorless.

The diagram just below gives you an overview of the E-P5 versus it's top rated rivals listed previously.

These are various other cameras you might have a look at as alternate options. To look at a thorough comparison, go to the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Olympus
Model
Olympus PEN E-P5
Category
Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced
2013-10-03
Physical type
Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor size
Four Thirds
Sensor measurements
17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area
224.9mm²
Sensor resolution
16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
4:3
Maximum resolution
4608 x 3456
RAW files
Maximum native ISO
25600
Min native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points
35
Lens
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses
107
Crop factor
2.1
Screen
Type of display
Tilting
Display size
3 inches
Resolution of display
1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech
3:2 LCD capacitive touchscreen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Electronic (optional)
DXO scores
DXO All around score
72
DXO Color Depth score
22.8
DXO Dynamic range score
12.4
DXO Low light score
895
Features
Lowest shutter speed
60s
Highest shutter speed
1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate
9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation
Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range
7.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual (1/1 - 1/64)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize
1/320s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless
Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
420 gr (0.93 lbs)
Dimensions
122 x 69 x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5")
Other
Battery life
330 photographs
Form of battery
Battery Pack
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots
Single
Price at launch
$389