• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    796 vs 216 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 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
    5.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus XZ-2
Olympus XZ-2

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

  • Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

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

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

Olympus XZ-2
Sony NEX-3
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Samsung NX100

Olympus XZ-2
Samsung NX100
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Samsung NX100

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Olympus XZ-2
Sony NEX-C3
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Sony NEX-5
Pentax MX-1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

Compared to Canon G16

Sony NEX-5
Canon G16
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

Compare Other Cameras?