Olympus PEN E-PL5 Mirrorless Camera
The Olympus PEN E-PL5 is a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera — with 1080p video and in-body stabilization. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Olympus PEN E-PL5 Mirrorless Camera
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Camera Overview — Olympus PEN E-PL5
Key Features — Olympus PEN E-PL5
16MP MFT CMOS Sensor: The Micro Four Thirds sensor with a 2.0x crop factor delivers 4608x3456 pixel images, processed by the TruePic VI engine for clean color rendering.
Sensor-Shift Stabilization: In-body image stabilization compensates for camera shake at the sensor level, benefiting any lens mounted on the camera.
8fps Burst Shooting: Continuous shooting at up to 8 frames per second allows you to capture fast-moving subjects with a higher chance of getting the decisive moment.
Tilting Touchscreen LCD: The 3-inch, 460,000-dot touchscreen tilts to make low-angle and overhead shots easier to compose and review.
Face Detection AF: Contrast-detect autofocus with Face Detection automatically identifies and locks onto subjects' faces for accurate people photography.
ISO 200–25600 Range: The extended ISO range provides usable sensitivity in low-light environments, with the base set at ISO 200 for clean daylight shooting.
Camera Specifications — Olympus PEN E-PL5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Travel |
| Type | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds (MFT) |
| Resolution | 16MP |
| Processor | TruePic VI |
| ISO Range | 200 – 25600 |
| AF System | Contrast Detection, Face Detection AF |
| Max Photo Resolution | 4608x3456 |
| Burst Rate | 8 fps |
| Max Video Resolution | 1080p |
| Max Frame Rate | 30fps |
| Bit Depth | 8-bit |
Description — Olympus PEN E-PL5
The Olympus PEN E-PL5 is a mirrorless camera featuring a Micro Four Thirds sensor with a 2.0x crop factor and 16MP resolution, processed by the TruePic VI image processor. Maximum still image resolution is 4608x3456 pixels, and the camera supports burst shooting at up to 8fps. The autofocus system uses contrast detection along with Face Detection AF for reliable subject acquisition.
For video, the E-PL5 records at up to 1080p at 30fps (with 25fps and 24fps also available) in 8-bit color. In-body sensor-shift image stabilization is built in, helping to reduce the impact of camera shake during handheld shooting. The 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 460,000-dot resolution allows for flexible framing from low and high angles. The ISO range spans 200 to 25600, and connectivity includes USB and Mini HDMI output.
The metal body measures 111 x 64 x 38 mm and weighs 325g. Storage is via SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, and an external clip-on flash is included in the box.
Pros — Olympus PEN E-PL5
- ✓In-body sensor-shift image stabilization (IBIS) helps reduce camera shake without relying on digital correction
- ✓Fast burst shooting at up to 8fps for capturing action sequences
- ✓3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 460,000-dot resolution enables flexible shooting angles
Cons — Olympus PEN E-PL5
- ✗No viewfinder of any kind, making outdoor composition in bright light more challenging
- ✗No weather sealing, limiting use in adverse environmental conditions
- ✗No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, requiring physical cable transfers for image offloading
Videos — Olympus PEN E-PL5
A Review of the Olympus Pen E-PL5 Compact System Camera — David Thorpe