Olympus E-5

    72
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    Highlights

    • 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
    • Image Stabilization
    • 3.0" 920k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Olympus E-5 was announced in 2011 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) DSLR camera with 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400. The camera has a Fully Articulated 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Olympus E-5 can capture video up to 1280 x 720 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Olympus E-x series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Olympus E-x series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-5 February
    2011    		 12.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-3
    Compare
    		February
    2008    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Articulated 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-1
    Compare
    		November
    2003    		 5 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 1.8"
    134k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Olympus E-5 vs E-3 vs E-1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-5.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 870 shots

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Olympus E-5 to its predecessor E-3 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-3
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    More Powerful Processor TruePic V+ vs TruePic III
    Max Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 vs 3648 x 2736
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    HDMI Output Mini type C vs
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
    Microphone Input vs
    Lighter 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) vs 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
    More Storage Slots 2 vs 1
    DOWNGRADES Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-3
    Multi Area Autofocus vs
    Selective Autofocus vs
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 519 vs 571

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Olympus E-5 vs E-3.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fully Articulated screen

    Olympus E-5 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 920k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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    Olympus E-5 with Fully Articulated screen


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 1.15x (0.58x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Olympus E-5 features a 12.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Olympus E-5's Micro Four Thirds sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.3 x 13 mm224.9 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with TruePic V+ processor and can take pictures up to 4032 x 3024 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Olympus E-5 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-5.

    Olympus E-420
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    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-450
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-1
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    5 MP

    Olympus E-3
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-330
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    7.94 MP

    Olympus E-620
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12.3 MP

    Olympus E-410
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-510
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-30
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Olympus E-500
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    8 MP

    Olympus E-300
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    8 MP

    Olympus E-400
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Olympus E-5 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Olympus E-5 comes with BLM-5 battery pack with battery life of 870 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has two card slots - one for Compact Flash (Type I/II) and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Olympus E-5's shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Olympus E-5 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 18.00 m at ISO 200 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Olympus E-5 has dimensions of 143 x 117 x 75 mm (5.63 x 4.61 x 2.95"). It weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    143 mm (5.63")

    117 mm (4.61")

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    117 mm (4.61")

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    75 mm (2.95")

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    Olympus E-5 dimensions

    Olympus E-5 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Olympus E-5 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    71

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 870 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    67

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 67 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 870 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Olympus E-5 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 870 shots

    Olympus E-5 Evaluation

    We evaluate Olympus E-5 and give score of 72 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    72

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56

    Photo

    GOOD
    75

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 75 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    POOR
    42

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 42 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    75

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 75 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    82

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 82 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    78

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 78 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    74

    We give Olympus E-5 a score of 74 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 870 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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