• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Fujifilm X-A5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 3.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 68 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-A5 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $499 vs $900
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    496g vs 652g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A5

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Impressive overall image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range from RAW files; Full HD video at 60 fps; Good battery life.

  • Slower-than-average AF speed; 4K video capped at 15fps; Very slow startup to first shot time with new power-zoom kit lens; Sluggish single-shot cycle times.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
Fujifilm X-A5
Olympus E-M1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
Fujifilm X-A5
Panasonic G3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Fujifilm X-A5
Panasonic G5
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X-A5
Panasonic GX7
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Olympus E-M5
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
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