• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Olympus E-M10

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Olympus E-PL5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL5
Kit with 14-42mm lens
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for its class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that tilts all the way forward for taking self portraits; Tons of advanced functions and customizable options.

  • Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to master; AF isn't optimal for taking fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under direct sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

  • Read our Olympus E-PL5 Review

  • Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.

  • Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.

  • Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-M10
Olympus E-PL3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL5
Panasonic GF6
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-PL5
Panasonic GX7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GX7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M10
Olympus E-PL7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL7

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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