• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    796 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.2 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.44 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter
Sony NEX-5
Olympus E-P2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX100

Olympus E-PL1
Samsung NX100
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony NEX-5
Olympus E-PL2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Olympus E-PL1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony NEX-5
Olympus E-P3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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