• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A5000 advantages over Olympus E-PL5

  • 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.
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,089 vs 889 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for its class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that tilts all the way forward for taking self portraits; Tons of advanced functions and customizable options.

  • Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to master; AF isn't optimal for taking fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under direct sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoots 60p video
Sony A5000
Olympus E-PL3
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL5
Panasonic GF6
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A5000
Panasonic GF6
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Olympus E-PL5
Sony NEX-5T
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A5100

Olympus E-PL5
Sony A5100
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
Sony A5000
Olympus E-PL7
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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