• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha NEX-5 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Sony NEX-5N
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
Olympus E-M5 II
E-M5 vs E-M5 II
General
Model Number: NEX-5 E-M5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $1299.99
Street Price: $699.99 $899.95
Date Available: 2010-07-15 2012-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.7 oz (502 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
23.0 oz (652 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in.
(111 x 60 x 40 mm)
4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 in.
(122 x 89 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 69 71
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.2 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 796 826
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG JPEG, MPO, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.7 8.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1440x1080 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (60i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD or MPEG-4 MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Digital ED
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 100mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 12 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 4.20x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f/6.3 - 22 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   20 - 50 cm
7.9 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 49.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached Up to 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF / All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV) EVF; 1.44M-dot, 1.15x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,440,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.58x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.15x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 614,000 dots (205,000 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 AUTO: ISO Low (100) - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO Low (100) - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still), Art Filter, Underwater wide / macro
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1 (FULL) - 1/64)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100 Bundled FL-LM2 GN = 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable) Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD or MPEG-4 MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with stereo sound), AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Wireless Optional Remote cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C) Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB connector, Accessory Port 2
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.77 0.52
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.77 0.51
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 17 20
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.56
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.7 8.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 38 17
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   16
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   15
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.44 seconds 0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.44 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.257 seconds 0.102 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.75 seconds 0.44 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.115 seconds 0.056 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus, Single-area AF mode, 16mm f/2.8 lens = 0.448 second Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode lag = 0.175 second
Startup Time: 1.0 seconds 1.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.8 seconds 4.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 330 shots 360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50 Proprietary BLN-1
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLN-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black or silver. 3" tilting OLED monitor with Touchscreen panel, Hi-res EVF, 5-axis image stabilization, 9 fps burst, Full HD video.