• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-A1 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.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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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Buy the Olympus E-PL5
Kit with 14-42mm lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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).

  • Read our Olympus E-PL5 Review

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

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Olympus E-PL5
Sony NEX-3N
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-3N

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

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GF6

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GF6
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GF6

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

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus E-PL7

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-PL7
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-PL7

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