Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 II

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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 II

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL5.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
E-PL5 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

889 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster RAW shooting
8.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Olympus E-PL5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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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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

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Olympus E-PL5

Sony RX100

$329
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1074
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Olympus E-PL5

Sony RX100 III

$329
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

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

Sony RX100 II

Olympus E-PL3

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-PL3

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

Sony RX100 II

Panasonic GF6

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Panasonic GF6

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

Sony RX100 II

Olympus E-PL7

$598
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Olympus E-PL7

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