Olympus PEN E-PL5

Olympus Pen E-PL5
Overview
TypeMicro Four Thirds, interchangeable lens camera
Lens
LensMicro Four Thirds System mount
Sensor/medium
SensorFour Thirds System 18.00 × 13.50 mm Live MOS
Maximum resolution4608 x 3456 (16.1 megapixels)
Film speedISO 200–25600
Storage mediaSecure Digital card; SDHC; SDXC
Focusing
Focus modesSingle, continuous, manual
Focus areas35 area contrast detect auto-focus, selectable
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual
Exposure meteringDigital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering
Metering modesTTL ESP multi patterned (324-area multi pattern metering), Center-weighted average, Spot (1%)
Flash
FlashClip-on (included), TTL, GN 10m equivalent (ISO200 · m); hotshoe for external flash attachment
Shutter
Shutter1/4,000 to 60 s, up to 30 minutes bulb
Continuous shooting8.0 frames/s (in case of "I.S. OFF")
Viewfinder
Viewfinderlive preview, optional electronic viewfinder VF-2; optional electronic viewfinder VF-3 and VF-4; optional optical viewfinder VF-1
General
LCD screen3" 460,000 pixel TFT LCD on screen with live preview with capacitive touchscreen control
BatteryOlympus BLS-5 Lithium-ion battery
Dimensions110.5 × 63.7 × 38.2 mm (4.35" × 2.51" × 1.50")
Weight279 g (9.8 oz) (body only) 325 g (11.5 oz) (body, battery and SD memory card)

The Olympus PEN E-PL5, announced on September 17, 2012[1] is Olympus Corporation's tenth camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-PL5 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and was announced in concert with one other model, the Olympus PEN E-PM2 (a simpler version of the PEN E-PL5 and the successor to the E-PM1).

Technology

The E-PL5 with VF-4 viewfinder and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.8 lens

The E-PL5, together with the E-PM2, features a touchscreen, similar to the Olympus PEN E-P3 and Olympus OM-D E-M5, and the same 16.1 megapixel sensor as is in the OM-D E-M5, with its increased ISO range, low-light capability and wide dynamic range. Although the Olympus E-PL5 uses the same sensor as the OM-D E-M5, it lacks the 5 axis stabilisation system of the latter such as OM-D and E-P5, utilising a simpler system 2 axis stabilisation that only compensates for yaw and pitch.

The E-PL5 increases autofocus speed through use of a 240 Hz refresh rate for its sensor, similar to the technology used in its flagship MFT camera, the OM-D E-M5. The benefits of the 240 Hz refresh rate also provides the ability for continuous autofocus tracking during bursts of exposures, a faster shutter response (less lag) and less blackout time between exposures.

The E-PL5 has a capacitive touchscreen similar to E-P3 and OM-D E-M5 for creative camera control, but lacks an OLED type display that is supposed to vastly improve performance in sunny conditions, and off-angle viewing. Instead, the E-PL5 has a tiltable LCD, which allows easy above the head, waist level, low off the ground viewing and self-portraits, but no viewfinder. With no built-in flash, but sold with clip-on flash, the E-PL5 continues with the proprietary Accessory Port, a power and communication port, which allows the use of various accessories, such as other external flash, an external stereo microphone for HD video recording, LED macro lights, and a bluetooth communications adapter. The accessory port is compatible with the optional hotshoe mounted VF-2, VF-3 and VF-4 electronic viewfinders (EVF).

Differences over Olympus PEN E-PL3

  • 16.1 megapixel sensor instead of 12.3 megapixel
  • Option to reduce the size of the focus points
  • For the first time, Olympus gives priority over its own in-body system to lens-based image stabilisation when Panasonic lenses with this feature are mounted
  • 170 degree "flip-up" capacitative touchscreen
  • Detachable grip
  • New "Water Colour" Art Filter in addition to the 11 existing Art Filters of the E-PL3.

Specifications not in the infobox

See also

References

  1. ^ Dpreview.com: Olympus refreshes PENS with E-PL5 and E-PM2 touch-screen 16MP mirrorless models
  2. ^ Olympus Imaging India Private Limited. "E-PL5 Specs". olympus-imaging.co.in. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
Preceded by Olympus PEN E-PL5 Micro Four Thirds System Camera
Autumn 2012–present
Succeeded by