Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M5 vs A5000
Quick take: The A5000 has the highest resolution at 20MP; the OM-D E-M5 is the most affordable; only the OM-D E-M5 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | OM-D E-M5Olympus · 2012 | A5000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40 usedBest | £78 used |
| Sensor | 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 20.1MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.1MP | 20.1MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i | Full HD 1080 (60i / 25p AVCHD), 1440×1080/30p MP4 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 35 areas, face and eye detection | 25-point contrast AF with face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis in-body stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 9fpsBest | 3.5fps |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~420 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 425g (with battery) | 269g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 121.9 × 88.9 × 43.2mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 1.44M dots | None (rear screen only) |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting OLED touch screen, 610k dots | 3.0" 180° flip-up LCD, 460k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, hot shoe, Accessory Port 2 | Micro USB (Multi Terminal), micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
OM-D E-M5
A5000
Portrait
4.9/10
4.3/10
Street
6.0/10
6.5/10
Travel
5.9/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
4.0/10
2.6/10
Documentary
4.1/10
3.5/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
3.1/10
Landscape
4.7/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
4.2/10
Casual
4.3/10
4.2/10
Food
5.5/10
5.2/10
Macro
5.1/10
4.7/10
Architecture
4.4/10
4.8/10
Astrophotography
3.7/10
4.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with OM-D E-M5
Camera family history