• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-5 advantages over Fujifilm X20

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 2/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 870 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm X20 advantages over Olympus E-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    56 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/1000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    361g vs 892g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Olympus E-5
Canon 50D
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Fujifilm X20
Canon 50D
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E30

Olympus E-5
Olympus E30
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
Fujifilm X20
Olympus E30
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Olympus E-5
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Fujifilm X20
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Olympus E-5
Fujifilm X10
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch

Compared to Fujifilm X30

Olympus E-5
Fujifilm X30
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X30
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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