Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Olympus PEN E-P5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M1
59
WINNER
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Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-P5
53
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Olympus PEN E-P5 are both 2013 mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds mount, so they draw on the same lens library. The E-M1 is the larger body at 130 x 94 x 63 mm and 497 g, while the PEN E-P5 is slimmer at 122 x 69 x 37 mm and 420 g. That extra depth and 77 g come with a built-in viewfinder and sealed construction. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 10, 2013 | May 10, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 130 x 94 x 63 mm | 122 x 69 x 37 mm |
| Camera weight | 497 g | 420 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 is the stronger choice for tracking moving subjects, with 81 autofocus points against 35 on the E-P5 and 10 fps against 9 fps continuous shooting. Eye-level shooting also favours the E-M1. Its built-in electronic viewfinder shows 2,360,000 dots, while the E-P5 has no viewfinder and relies on its rear screen. Several core specifications match: both sensors are Micro Four Thirds CMOS designs with in-body stabilisation, a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and a 200 to 25600 ISO standard range. That stabilisation allows handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds with any Micro 4/3 lens on either body. Resolution is nearly the same, 16.3 megapixels against 16.1, so cropping latitude is effectively unchanged. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VII | TruePic VI |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
810300 | 350300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras cap video recording at Full HD resolution, with a 30 fps maximum frame rate and built-in timelapse on each. Neither records 4K, so footage is web-ready rather than croppable 4K. The difference that reaches your editing software is file format. The E-M1 offers MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and Motion JPEG, while the E-P5 offers MOV and AVI. Confirm your editor accepts the output of the body you choose. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Motion JPEG | MOV, AVI |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-P5 has one convenience the E-M1 lacks: a built-in flash for quick fill light indoors or on backlit portraits. The E-M1 counters with weather sealing for poor conditions, plus a flip screen for waist-level and low-angle framing. The rear screens are a close match: each offers a 3-inch LCD with roughly 1.04 million dots, touch control and live view. Wi-Fi for wireless transfer is shared, and neither camera has GPS or Bluetooth built in. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 10368001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage arrangements match: each camera records to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards in a single slot, with no dual-slot backup on either. Neither charges over USB, so both depend on their external chargers. Battery life differs modestly: the E-M1 is rated at 350 shots against 330 for the E-P5, a 20-shot gap. They use different packs, BLN-1 and BLN-2, so batteries and chargers do not transfer between them. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | BLN-2 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | [object Object] | — |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 | — |
| Status | complete | — |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 for outdoor and motion work. Its weather sealing suits landscape and wildlife shooting in poor conditions, its 81-point autofocus and 10 fps burst suit fast action, and its built-in viewfinder keeps eye-level framing clear in bright sun.
The Olympus PEN E-P5 is the better pick for a compact everyday camera. It is 77 g lighter and slimmer, and its built-in flash covers indoor snapshots without a separate flash unit. Both share lenses, stabilisation and the Full HD video limit, so it comes down to viewfinder, autofocus and sealing versus size and flash.