Testseek.com have collected 83 expert reviews of the Olympus E-PL5 and the average rating is 81%. Scroll down and see all reviews for Olympus E-PL5.
(81%)
83 Reviews
Average score from experts who have reviewed this product.
Users
(89%)
48 Reviews
Average score from owners of the product.
81010083
The editors liked
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.
Very low image noise
Reliable metering
Good whitebalance
Quick shottoshot speed
Fast contrastdetect AF
Short shutterlag
Generally responsive
Effective builtin stabilization
Excellent automatic Manual Focus Assist
High level of customization
Olym
Great image quality up to ISO 1600
Fast focusing
Excellent feel in the hands thanks in part to the large tilting LCD screen
Removeable/Interchangeable grips
Excellent battery life
Fast autofocusing system
Takes very good photos
Tilting screen for angled shots or self-portraits
Special effects and filters allow you to take fun pictures
3 inch articulated touch-screen
Excellent 16 Megapixel image quality
1080p30 movies with manual exposure
High degree of customisation
Built-in stabilisation
Access to large native lens catalogue.
Impressive results from the Micro Four Thirds sensor
Fast single AF acquisition
Decent metal finish
The editors didn't like
No built-in flash
Poor color accuracy
Focus hunts in low light
Long blackout
Display not always ExposurePriority
Low contrast LCD
Modal EC interface
½s Video record delay
Uncomfortable strap eyelets
Flimsy battery and memory door
No popup flash
High ISO pixel smudging
Requires playing around to learn features and settings
Lens is a bit big on what is otherwise a compact camera
Higher price tag when there's a comparable Olympus camera with similar features
IS not as good as some optical systems
AF hesitant in movie modes
16
9 screen ill-suited to 4
3 stills
No WiFi or GPS accessories.
Plastic front grip doesn’t match the feel of the rest of the camera
Continuous AF and specifically AF Tracking still needs improving
Buying Guide Best compact system camera 2012 When the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 was announced, we were very excited about getting it in to test it properly. The Olympus OM-D was a very good camera, and to see the same technology in a smaller and lighter body...
The E-PL5 is a nice little camera and would be an excellent choice for photographers who want a small and light interchangeable-lens camera with superior overall performance. Olympus has a wide choice of excellent lenses to match it and, if you can't find...
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 user...
The Olympus E-PL5 is a camera you should hold in your hands before making a buying decision. If it passes your personal ergonomics test, then the performance is sure to please. Excellent image quality combined with fast autofocusing and an impressive 8 fp...
Good build quality / Removable grip handle, Nice LCD / Tilt screen / Touchscreen controls, Generally responsive, Picture quality up to 1600 ISO or even 3200 ISO, Decent kit lens
Touchscreen controls are patchy (can't be used in menus, some settings require physical buttons), Video image too highly contrasted, audio quality could be better
With the Pen E-PL5, Olympus is almost replacing the E-P3 as much as the E-PL3. It's a mirrorless camera that takes very good-quality pictures and offers high-end performances. This latest addition to the Pen family is therefore well positioned to succeed ...
Like the Olympus Pen E-PM2, I was impressed with the Pen E-PL5. The camera is well built, straightforward to use and full of features for enthusiast photographers, particularly those who want a pocketable system camera for documentary or travel photograph...
We enjoyed the ability to fire the shutter with a satisfying clunk by tapping where your subject appears on screen. Plus with Art Filter effects that are fun and effective, and warm, bold colours delivered almost on default, apart from a few niggles this...
Starter option with sophisticated design, tilting touchscreen LCD screen aids visibility and makes for intuitive use, dedicated video record button falls readily under the thumb, image stabilisation built into camera body rather than lens
Small backplate buttons, but criticism otherwise similar to that of its E-PL3 predecessor, namely we miss the integral flash and handgrip of the E-PL2, and bemoan the plastic-y clip-on flash, plastic-y clip on grip and plastic-y kit lens provided in lieu
We enjoyed the ability to fire the shutter with a satisfying clunk by tapping where your subject appears on screen. Plus with Art Filter effects that are fun and effective, and warm, bold colours delivered almost on default, apart from a few niggles this...
Great image quality as per OM-D E-M5, decent build quality, useful Art Filters, touchscreen, full range of Micro Four Thirds lenses
Flash is hotshoe-mounted only (not necessarily a problem), plastic grip looks a bit cheap, continuous autofocus still not quite there, ISO 200 minimum
Olympus has hit the nail on the head with this one. The E-PL5 delivers exceptional image quality at a reasonable price point, but also delivers in its build, features and performance stakes too. Our moans are very few and far between. The E-PL5 is a co...
