Olympus OM-D E-M10 vs Olympus PEN E-P5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M10
54
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-M10 and the Olympus PEN E-P5 are both mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so your Micro 4/3 lenses fit either body. The E-M10 arrived in 2014 with a built-in electronic viewfinder, while the PEN E-P5 from 2013 has no viewfinder and relies entirely on its rear screen for framing. The E-M10 is the taller, deeper body at 119 x 82 x 46 mm, while the E-P5 is longer and slimmer at 122 x 69 x 37 mm. The E-M10 is also 24 g lighter at 396 g, against 420 g for the E-P5. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 29, 2014 | May 10, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 119 x 82 x 46 mm | 122 x 69 x 37 mm |
| Camera weight | 396 g | 420 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M10 is the stronger pick for off-centre focus, with 81 AF points against 35 on the E-P5, and its built-in electronic viewfinder adds eye-level shooting the E-P5 cannot offer. The E-P5 counters with a shorter minimum exposure of 1/8000 second against 1/4000, which helps when shooting wide apertures in strong daylight, and a 9 fps burst against 8 fps. Their core sensor specifications match, so you get the same 16.1 MP resolution for cropping and large prints. Both have in-body stabilisation to steady handheld shots and share a 200 to 25600 ISO range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 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. |
8 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. |
400080032000 | 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 | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor occasional clips, both cameras record Full HD video with frame rates capped at 30 fps, so neither offers 4K detail or slow-motion playback. Both include built-in timelapse, which saves carrying an intervalometer for a sunset or cloud sequence. The E-P5 gives older editing software an extra option, recording in both MOV and AVI while the E-M10 records in MOV alone. If your workflow expects AVI files, the E-P5 avoids a conversion step. | ||
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. |
MOV | MOV, AVI |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M10's tilting touchscreen makes low and high-angle shooting much easier, letting you tilt the 3-inch display for a waist-level flower shot or raise it over a crowd. The E-P5's 3-inch screen is fixed, so those angles mean guesswork or crouching. Touch control itself is shared, and both cameras offer Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Both include a built-in flash and support an external one, and neither offers GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 BatteryBoth cameras take the same SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so one card collection serves either body, and neither supports USB charging. The E-P5's BLN-2 battery is rated for 330 shots, against 320 for the E-M10's BLS-5, under their respective test conditions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | BLN-2 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The E-M10 is the stronger choice for most photographers, because its electronic viewfinder, tilting touchscreen and 81 AF points change how you shoot. You gain eye-level framing in bright sun, easy low-angle compositions and confident off-centre focus. The lens mount, resolution, stabilisation and Full HD video are shared, so the E-M10's advantages give up nothing there.
Choose the E-P5 if you regularly shoot wide apertures in strong daylight and need the 1/8000 second shutter, or want the faster 9 fps burst for brief action moments. Its AVI recording option also suits older editing setups. Otherwise, the E-M10's viewfinder and flexible screen make it the more versatile camera for everyday and travel photography.