• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Olympus E-P5

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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 max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-P5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 17mm Lens
All E-P5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.

  • Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.

  • Read our Olympus E-P5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5

Olympus E-P5
Sony NEX-5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-C3

Olympus E-P5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-P5
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony NEX-3
Olympus E-M5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-M5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony NEX-3
Panasonic GX7
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GX7
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GX7

Compare Other Cameras?