Sony A65 vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A65 vs Olympus PEN-F

APS-C 369.7mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A65 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A65.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.95 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

510 vs 330 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
More viewfinder magnification
0.73x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Sony A65

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.80 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
PEN-F test data on DxO Mark A65 test data on DxO Mark

894 vs 717 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
37 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A65 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A65.
Read our Sony A65 Initial Test

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65

Nikon D3200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

Olympus PEN-F

Nikon D3200

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65

Nikon D5200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5200

Olympus PEN-F

Nikon D5200

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65

Sony A58

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony A58

Olympus PEN-F

Sony A58

$999
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A58

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A65

Panasonic GX85

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A65 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony A65

Olympus E-PL8

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A65 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

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