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Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A99 II

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2012 and September 2016. The E-PL5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A99 II is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-PL5) and a full frame (A99 II) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 42.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-PL5
versus
Sony A99 II
Olympus E-PL5   Sony A99 II
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony A mount lenses
15.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor 42.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600 ISO 100-25,600
Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 1229k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen)
8 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
360 shots per battery charge490 shots per battery charge
111 x 64 x 38 mm, 325 g 143 x 104 x 76 mm, 849 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PL5 and the Sony A99 II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL5 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, white), while the A99 II is only available in black.

Size Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A99 II
Compare E-PL5 versus A99 II top
Comparison E-PL5 or A99 II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A99 II is considerably larger (109 percent) than the Olympus E-PL5. Moreover, the A99 II is substantially heavier (161 percent) than the E-PL5. It is noteworthy in this context that the A99 II is splash and dust-proof, while the E-PL5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the E-PL5 gets 360 shots out of its Olympus BLS-5 battery, while the A99 II can take 490 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL5 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n Sep 2012 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS R 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D850 146 mm 124 mm 79 mm 1005 g 1840 Y Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PL9 117 mm 68 mm 39 mm 380 g 350 n Feb 2018 599ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-PL8 115 mm 67 mm 38 mm 357 g 350 n Sep 2016 549ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M10 II 120 mm 83 mm 47 mm 390 g 320 n Aug 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M10 119 mm 82 mm 46 mm 396 g 320 n Jan 2014 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL7 115 mm 67 mm 38 mm 357 g 350 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-P5 122 mm 69 mm 37 mm 420 g 330 n May 2013 999ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-PL6 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n May 2013 599ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-PM2 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 269 g 360 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G6 122 mm 85 mm 71 mm 390 g 340 n Apr 2013 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-PL5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 81 percent) than the A99 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-PL5 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony A99 II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A99 II is 283 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the E-PL5 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A99 II offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A99 II sensor measures

With 42.2MP, the A99 II offers a higher resolution than the E-PL5 (15.9MP), but the A99 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.52μm versus 3.76μm for the E-PL5) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A99 II is a much more recent model (by 4 years) than the E-PL5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the A99 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A99 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A99 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 39.8 x 26.5 inches or 101 x 67.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 31.8 x 21.2 inches or 80.8 x 53.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 26.5 x 17.7 inches or 67.3 x 44.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-PL5 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A99 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the E-PL5 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A99 II uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-PL5 versus A99 II MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A99 II offers substantially better image quality than the E-PL5 (overall score 20 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.6 bits higher color depth, 1.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-PL5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388972
2.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
3.
 
Canon 5DS R Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.612.4230886
4.
 
Nikon D850 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.414.82660100
5.
 
Olympus E-PL9 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.112.8116274
6.
 
Olympus E-PL8 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.6103073
7.
 
Olympus E-M10 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.112.584273
8.
 
Olympus E-M10 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388472
9.
 
Olympus E-PL7 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.487372
10.
 
Olympus E-P5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.489572
11.
 
Olympus E-PL6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.512.071768
12.
 
Olympus E-PM2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.293272
13.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
14.
 
Panasonic G6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p21.311.563961
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
16.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
17.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the A99 II provides a better video resolution than the E-PL5. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A99 II has an electronic viewfinder (2400k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the E-PL5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the E-PL5 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-3. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Olympus E-PL5 and Sony A99 II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-PL5optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
2.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon 5DS Roptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D850optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n n
5.
 
Olympus E-PL9none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.6/s Y Y
6.
 
Olympus E-PL8optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
7.
 
Olympus E-M10 II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus E-M101440 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Olympus E-PL7optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
10.
 
Olympus E-P5optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Olympus E-PL6optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
12.
 
Olympus E-PM2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
13.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
14.
 
Panasonic G61440 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The E-PL5 has a touchscreen, while the A99 II has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The E-PL5 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A99 II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A99 II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the E-PL5 only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-PL5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon 5DS RYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
4.
 
Nikon D850Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
5.
 
Olympus E-PL9Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Olympus E-PL8Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Olympus E-M10 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Olympus E-M10Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Olympus E-PL7Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Olympus E-P5Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Olympus E-PL6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Olympus E-PM2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic G6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
16.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the A99 II offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the E-PL5 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A99 II (unlike the E-PL5) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the E-PL5 and the A99 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-PL5 was replaced by the Olympus E-PL6, while the A99 II does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the E-PL5 and A99 II can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-PL5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A99 II Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Olympus E-PL5 better than the Sony A99 II or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus PEN E-PL5:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x64mm vs 143x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 524g or 62 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (81 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2012).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (42.2 vs 15.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 66%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (20 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.6 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.1 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 460k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (490 versus 360) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years of technical progress since the E-PL5 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A99 II is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-PL5 07:24 A99 II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PL5 and the Sony A99 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the E-PL5 or the A99 II perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL53/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS R5/5+..83/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D8504.5/5+ +5/589/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PL9..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2018 599ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-PL8........4.5/54/5 Sep 2016 549ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M10 II4.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Aug 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M104/5....80/1005/55/5 Jan 2014 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL74/5+....5/54/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-P55/5+ +..78/1004.5/55/5 May 2013 999ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-PL6............ May 2013 599ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-PM23/5....77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G64/5+ +....5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-PL5 vs Sony A99 II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2012 September 2016
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 3,199
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 42.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 7952 x 5304 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.76 μm 4.52 μm
    Pixel Density 7.08 MP/cm2 4.90 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic VI BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 72 92
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.8 25.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.3 13.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 889 2317
    Screen Specs Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fully flexible screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Olympus E-PL5 Sony A99 II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus BLS-5 Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)360 shots per charge490 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 in)
    143 x 104 x 76 mm
    (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 325 g (11.5 oz) 849 g (29.9 oz)
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