Nikon
D5100
 vs
Olympus
PEN E-PL2

Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Nikon D5200 vs Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Nikon D5100

100

  
Olympus PEN E-PL2

36

  
Winner

Nikon D5100

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
 
Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Size
 Really small
Mid size 115x72x42 mm
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
1.7"
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 80.0 vs 55.0
Help
 Around 50% better image quality
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 10.2 EV
Help
 2.8 f-stops more dynamic range
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
 6.5x more lenses available
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 660 shots vs 280 shots
Help
 Around 2.5x more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 21.4 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 2.1 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Startup delay Less startup delay 500 ms vs 1300 ms
Help
 2.6x less delay when turning on
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 573 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has excellent image quality 1 f-stop higher ISO than the PEN E-PL2
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 More than 60% larger sensor
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 273 ms vs 434 ms
Help
 Around 40% less delay when taking photos
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL2
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Size Significantly smaller 115x72x42 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
 2.7x smaller
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.7" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 50% thinner
Weight Lighter 362 g vs 560 g
Help
 Around 40% lighter
Longest exposure Longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL2
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
100 vs 36
Explain scores
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D5100:APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
PEN E-PL2:Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Sensor cleaning Both have self cleaning sensors, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Avoids dust in your photos
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
D5100:CMOS
PEN E-PL2:NMOS
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
D5100:1
PEN E-PL2:0
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Focus points Few focus points Help
11

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant shared competitors found.

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Size Slightly smaller
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
True resolution Higher true resolution
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Focus points More focus points
Battery life Shorter battery life
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$669 - $800 body only

$699 - $749 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Size Slightly smaller
Weight Slightly lighter
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$399 with 14-42mm lens
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Startup delay More startup delay
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$270 with 14-42mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Color depth Better color depth
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$299 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
3D Takes 3D photos
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$369 with 14-42mm lens
Screen type Has an OLED screen
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-PL2
Olympus PEN E-PL5

Olympus PEN E-PL5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$782 with 14-42mm lens
Overall image quality Better image quality
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Compare the PEN E-PL5 vs the PEN E-PL2

appearance

Nikon D5100 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Nikon D5100 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Nikon D5100 Olympus PEN E-PL2

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