• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Nikon V3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    895 vs 384 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V3 advantages over Olympus E-P5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    81 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    404g vs 545g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    40 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.

  • Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.

  • Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap

  • Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-P3
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon V3
Olympus E-P3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-M5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon V3
Olympus E-M5
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J3

Olympus E-P5
Nikon J3
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon V3
Nikon J3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GX7
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon V3
Panasonic GX7
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon AW1

Olympus E-P5
Nikon AW1
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon V3
Nikon AW1
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Compare Other Cameras?