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Olympus PEN E-PL5

Olympus PEN E-PL5
Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus PEN E-PL5
alaScore 91

479 reviews

Nov, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 479 reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL5. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Comments about the price and image quality are generally positive. The portability and usability are also appreciated, but there are some mixed views about the flash. There are some less positive views about the viewfinder.

performance, usability, portability, image quality, price

viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus PEN E-PL5 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 479 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (57% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (32% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (1% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

performance
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (37%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
control panel
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (42%)Show negative (58%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
optics
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
contrast
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
energy
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
connectivity
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 325 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 259 of 325 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (150)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus PEN E-PL5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 52 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL5 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviews about the image quality and size are on the whole positive. The performance and portability also get good opinions, but the exposure and low light performance get mixed comments.

usability, portability, performance, size, image quality

98% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus PEN E-PL5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 194 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL5 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the price and image quality. The portability and performance are also mentioned favorably. There are some less positive opinions about the exposure and viewfinder, while comments are divided on the reliability.

usability, performance, portability, image quality, price

viewfinder, exposure

95% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Olympus PEN E-PL5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL5 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca. Reviews about the screen and performance are on the whole positive. The portability and price are also mentioned favorably.

usability, price, portability, performance, screen

67% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Enid Burns (digitaltrends.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL5 Review

 

For users upgrading from a simple point-and-shoot to an interchangeable lens camera, the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 is a very good camera to transition to.

Both cameras performed well and gave us crisp, focused photos. We were finding it difficult to justify the $100 to spring for the E-PL5 over the E-PM2. But then we started tilting the screen out to review photos or framing the best angle for a shot,...

Feb, 2013
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Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5

 

The Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 delivers the performance of the top-end Olympus OM-D E-M5 in a smaller package and at a fraction of the price.

Tilting rear display. Optional EVF available. Removable front grip. In-camera art filters. Sharp kit lens. Good high ISO performance. Fast shot-to-shot and focus times.

No built-in flash.

There's no Wi-Fi support, which is becoming more common in both point-and-shoot and compact interchangeable lens cameras. Olympus recommends that you use a Toshiba FlashAir card to add wireless support, and is offering one for free via mail-in rebate...

Nov, 2012
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Olympus E-PL5 gets a grip

 

While there are some other enhancements to the camera, a grip may be the most notable.

Sep, 2012
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Expert review by : Richard Butler (dpreview.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL5 and PEN E-PM2 Hands-on Preview

 

Olympus was one of the instigators of the mirrorless uprising, having formulated the Micro Four Thirds standard with Panasonic. At first it looked like Olympus might be overshadowed by Panasonic's technical prowess but a combination of its...

Sep, 2012
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Expert review by : Josh Fate (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL5 Review

 

Olympus has gotten just about everything right with the new E-PL5 ILC camera. Its 16-Megapixel Live MOS sensor and TruePic VI provide excellent image quality and performance. Adding the best lens collection for an ILC and an accessory for just about...

iAuto shooting mode is accurate and easy in all situations ; Dedicated Video Capture Button is always ready to record ; Built-In image stabilization works with all lenses available for the camera ; Great image quality ; Wireless capablilities are fun...

Advertised ISO 25600 is not useable in any capacity ; Detachable flash is small and easy to forget ; Tilting LCD screen does not swivel side to side

Olympus has gotten just about everything right with the new E-PL5 ILC camera. Its 16-Megapixel Live MOS sensor and TruePic VI provide excellent image quality and performance. Adding the best lens collection for an ILC and an accessory for just about...

Dec, 2012
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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Olympus E-PL5 Review

 

The Olympus E-PL5 (also known as the Olympus PEN Lite) is a new mid-range compact system camera. Featuring the same 16-megapixel “Live MOS” sensor and TruePic VI image processor as the flagship Olympus OM-D E-M5, the EPL5 offers the world's fastest...

The E-PL5 essentially offers the heart of the flagship OM-D model inside a much smaller, lighter and crucially cheaper body. If you can live without the OM-D's built-in electronic viewfinder, dust- and splash- proof body, 5-axis gyro image...

Oct, 2012
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Expert review by : Mike Tomkins (imaging-resource.com)

Olympus E-PL5 Review

 

The Olympus E-PL5 packs serious photographic power into a small package -- thanks in large part to the 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor it borrows from the company's acclaimed OM-D E-M5. The image quality produced by a compact system camera at this price...

Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for its class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that...

Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to master; AF isn't optimal for taking fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under direct sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included)

We've been very pleased with the image quality and overall speedy performance of the Olympus PEN compact system camera line over the past couple of years, and the E-PL5 stands out as a significant evolution on almost every front.

May, 2013
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Expert review by : thinkdigit.com (thinkdigit.com)

Olympus E-Pl5 Review

 

The Olympus E-Pl5 boasts of a large number of features in a very compact body. It has the same sensor and image processor as the more expensive OM-D E-M5 and dishes out some rather amazing images. It is easy to use for the most part, but feels a little...

Very fast AF, even in Touch mode, Very good image quality, Very fast burst mode of 8 frames per second

Frustrating menu system, The back of the camera feels extremely cramped

Nov, 2013
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Expert review by : Brendan Nystedt (reviewed.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL5

 

Olympus has infused its mid-range PEN with OM-D DNA to positive results.

Although we had some issues with the camera's ergonomics and menu system, the E-PL5 nevertheless impressed us on its technical merits. There's just enough power here for point-and-shoot users who want to stretch their legs a bit, though more advanced...

Mar, 2013
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Expert review by : jmeyer (digitalcameraworld.com)

Olympus E-PL5 review

 

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 shares the same 16.1-megapixel sensor as the Olympus OM-D. Amy Davies of our testing team investigates whether the similarities end there, or if this new PEN camera is in fact the best PEN camera on the market. Watch her Olympus...

Dec, 2012
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Price comparison for Olympus PEN E-PL5

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