Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – A Detailed Comparison

If you have ever wondered how two Entry-Level cameras made by different companies would do when placed side by side with each other, then you are in the right place. Here, we will be doing a Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison, and will be showing just what makes these two Entry-Level cameras so different.

So, if you are in a hurry, you can just go through the next three sections of this article for a quick run through of the differences between these cameras.

However, if you want something more detailed Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison, make sure to come with us all the way to the end. In fact, in the final section of this article, you will be seeing our sincere thoughts on each of these cameras, and our ultimate verdict.

Well, what are we waiting for? Let us head straight into it!

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

So, obviously, these cameras – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – are made by different companies – Sony and Olympus, respectively. And although, Olympus is much older, we believe that Sony is the much stronger brand. And well, as we move along, we will be seeing how this affects this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 duel.

The Sony camera comes with a 24 mega pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, while the Olympus comes with a 16 mega pixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor. Now, what this means is that the Sony a5100 will most likely be giving you bigger prints and sharper images, as it has a better resolution.

As we go further, it will become clear that this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison is a pretty interesting one.

Now, the Sony a5100 comes with an in-built flash, so, one might think it is better to shoot in low light areas with this camera, compared to the Olympus EPL7 which does not have an in-built flash. Well, until one finds out that the Olympus camera allows you connect an external flash, while the Sony a5100 does not. Interesting, isn’t it?

Anyway, everybody loves a lightweight camera, especially when that camera in question is an entry-level one – just like these cameras we are comparing here today – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7. Well, both these cameras are pretty lightweight, but the Sony a5100 even more.

Furthermore, both these cameras allow you connect wirelessly to nearby Wi-Fi compatible devices. But when it comes to this, the Sony a5100 is the camera that allows you create connection more easily.

The Sony a5100 comes with near field communication (NFC), and with this, you are able to connect to a nearby device with just one touch. That is so cool, and is something you cannot get with the Olympus EPL7.

Also, the a5100 is sure to give you better focusing, as it has close to a hundred more focus points than the EPL7.

On the other hand, though, the Olympus EPL7, unlike the Sony a5100, has stabilized lenses. This means that whether or not the EPL7 shakes while you are shooting, your pictures will be coming out sharp and without blur.

More so, the Olympus camera is the only one of the two – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – that allows you record time-lapse videos. But don’t be too quick to call this one the better camera for creative shooting, because the Sony camera can take panoramic shots but the Olympus camera cannot.

Which has the better price-value ratio: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

The Olympus EPL7 has a better price-value ratio than the Sonya 5100, and that is simply because it is the more affordable camera. In terms of performance and functionality, they both are on the same level, however, going for the EPL7 means you get to save more than 150 dollars. That’s money you can use to buy extra gear/equipment.

Anyway, one important thing you would need to find out is what camera will be better for your needs. So, in the next two sections, we will first be comparing features and functions of these cameras, and then we will be telling you which camera does better under certain circumstances. Come with us!

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Comparison Table — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

 

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

Camera weight 0.62 pounds (283 grams) 0.79 pounds (357 grams)
Camera dimensions 4.3 by 1.4 by 2.5 inches 4.5 by 1.5 by 2.6 inches
Maximum screen resolution 24 mega pixels 16 mega pixels
Burst mode speed 6 frames per second 8 frames per second
In-built flash Yes No
External flash hot shoe No Yes
Near field communication Yes No
Image stabilization No Yes
Battery capacity 400 shots per full charge 350 shots per full charge
Panorama Yes No

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Which Is Better Under What Circumstance — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7?

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

For better focusing, the Sony a5100 is your better option. This camera has close to 100 more focus points than the Olympus EPL7. This means that you will be able to focus on more things at the same time with this camera, thus, giving you clearer and sharper images. If you will be moving a lot while you take pictures, for example, when you are on a tour, or taking a hike, you would need a camera that would be able to minimize the effects those movements could have on your pictures. So, the Olympus EPL7, being the only one of these two cameras with image stabilization, it is just the right camera for all such activities.
If you want a camera that helps you connect more conveniently to a Wi-Fi compatible device close by, then this is a camera you would like. The Sony a5100, unlike the Olympus EPL7, comes with near field communication (NFC), so, you can initiate a wireless connection via Wi-Fi with just one touch. That is really convenient. If what you want is a camera with which you can do flash photography, then this is the one we would recommend for you. Although, the Olympus EPL7 does not have an in-built flash, it allows you connect an external flash, and with that, you can get great results in flash photography.  
Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Common Features — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

The most common similarities between the Sony a5100 and the Olympus EPL7 are:

i. They are both entry-level cameras

ii. They are both mirrorless cameras.

Entry-Level Cameras

You must have seen this term used a couple of times in this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison. Well, this is like the basic similarity between these cameras; they both are entry-level cameras.

Now, an entry-level camera, in the most basic sense of it, is a camera that is made primarily for beginners and amateur photographers. The major indicators that a camera is an entry-level one are that its affordability, compactness, and most of all, ease of use.

If you are planning to go into photography, and you need something to learn with, an entry-level camera would be your best bet, because, you know, it is “entry-level” and you are just entering into the world of photography.

Such cameras usually do not cost so much, and this is because they are hardly used on large scales. And in order to achieve this affordability, many of these cameras miss out on a number of features. For example, neither of these cameras comes with a viewfinder.

However, the lack of those features hardly affect the efficiency of the camera, in fact, they make the cameras simple and easy to maneuver, but at the same time, they deliver great results.

Compared to semi-pro and pro cameras, entry-level cameras are made with less durable materials. This is because the earlier cameras are designed to withstand more intense usage than beginner cameras. This is pretty much the reason why you would hardly find an entry-level camera with a weather sealed body.

From what we have said so far about entry-level cameras, you can begin to form your ideas about what features these cameras will come with – and those they will come without. Or well, you could just let us tell you, lol!

Before that, though, there is another fundamental similarity between these cameras, and that is that they are both mirrorless cameras.


Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are cameras that do not have mirrors, obviously. In such cameras, light is sent from the camera’s lens through the sensors, and then to the electronic viewfinder – or LCD screen – for autofocus.

The electronic viewfinder gives a digital image of what the lens is capturing – compared to optical viewfinders of DSLR cameras that show the exact image as the lens is capturing it.

Anyway, it is important to note that not every mirrorless camera comes with an electronic viewfinder, some come with no viewfinder at all. In such cameras, you are left to shoot using the camera’s screen. Well, these cameras – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – are examples of such cameras, so, you will be seeing how the absence of a viewfinder affects a camera’s performance.

Well, further speaking on mirrorless cameras, they are usually more compact and more lightweight than their rivals – digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. However, they also usually have poorer battery capacities, and slower autofocus.

Generally, it is easier to understand one by comparing it to the other. So, for you to better understand mirrorless cameras and how they work, we have attached a video below which compares them to DLSR (otherwise called mirrored) cameras. Watch it here!

So, now, we can go on to talk about those features that you can get with the Sony a5100 and also with the Olympus EPL7.

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Here are the features common to both the Sony a5100 and the Olympus EPL7:

i. Touch screen

ii. Articulating screen

iii. Face detection focus

iv. RAW support

v. Auto exposure bracketing

vi. Built-in Wi-Fi

vii. HDMI output

Let us now look at each of these features individually…

Touch Screen

The first feature we pointed out had to be about the screen, right? Well, yeah! Like we have said, neither of these cameras – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – comes with an electronic viewfinder, which means that you will have to shoot using the LCD. Considering this, it must then come off as good news that they are both touch screen cameras.

A touch screen basically makes it easier for you to operate your camera, and seeing as it is pretty much the most basic feature involved in your shooting, it comes off as even better news.

With a touch screen, focusing is easier, accessing the features is easier, and shooting is a lot more convenient.


Articulating Screen

Still speaking on the camera screen, each of these cameras – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – has a flexible screen that can be rotated to get shots from difficult angles. That is basically what an articulating screen does.

Anyway, the angles to which an articulating screen can rotate differs among cameras. And with each of these cameras, the screen is able to rotate 180 degrees upward, thus, they are said to be good vlogging or selfie friendly cameras.

Also, you are able to shoot from really interesting angles, and take even more awesome photos and videos.


Face Detection Focus

Face detection focus is what enables your camera to focus on the human faces in its frame, and then get awesome results especially in portrait shooting.

This feature is present in both these cameras, and therefore, it can be said that they are great cameras to take portrait photographs with.


RAW Support

A camera with RAW support is a camera that can capture images in their highest quality, and with all the details intact.

Without this feature, your camera will only compress images to the JPEG format, and that will mean that the quality of your images will always be reduced. This might be good in helping you save storage space, however, the quality of the images it produces will be less than amazing.

But with RAW support, you can get high quality images – the highest quality, fact – if you choose. This, anyway, would be at the expense of your storage space, because the higher the quality of your images, the more storage space it is likely to occupy.


Auto Exposure Bracketing

This is a feature that helps you shoot more conveniently and more efficiently in difficult lighting conditions. Just by setting your camera’s auto exposure bracketing, you are able to get three or more different images of what you wanted to capture – each with different exposure settings.

What all this means is that, with just a click of the shutter button, your camera shows you how your picture you want to take will look when different exposure settings have been applied.

Now, the number of frames you can get when shooting with auto exposure bracketing (= auto exposure bracketing range) varies among cameras. So, while the Sony a5100 is able to give you 3 different images when you shoot using this feature, the Olympus EPL7 gives you 5.

To better understand how this feature works, watch the video below. This video tells you what auto exposure bracketing really is, and goes on to show you how you can use it on any camera. Check it out!


Wi-Fi

With an in-built Wi-Fi, you are able to connect your camera to a compatible device nearby, and transfer files easily and without much hassle. This feature is really easy to use, and it saves you the stress of having to transfer files with the use of cables.

Now, apart from really fast transfer of files, this feature also enables you to do a remote controlled shooting. That is, you are able to do a photo shoot without even having to touch your camera; all you would need is a connected smartphone nearby, and you are set. This function makes shooting more convenient and more fun.

Well, if you want to see how much fun using the Wi-Fi feature and the smartphone remote control function on your Olympus EPL7 is, check out the video below. It shows you, in just about a minute, what you can do with this feature, and how much fun it can be. Watch it here!


HDMI Output

This is another feature that can be found in either of these cameras – Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7. And what it suggests is that you are able to connect an HDMI wire to this camera, and then to a television screen or a monitor, and through that means, view your camera’s photos and videos on much larger displays.

This is really great for when you have to project your images to a large number of people. So, instead of going through the process of transferring files first, you can just connect your camera to the screen, and you are good.

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Unique Features — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7


Image Stabilization

Like we have mentioned earlier in this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison article, this feature is one that helps you get stable images, even if your camera shook a lot while you were shooting with it.

Naturally, your camera shaking would cause your images to come out looking a little sketchy, and generally poor. But with image stabilization, all such effects are erased, or at least, minimized.

Anyway, this is an advantage you will only be getting with the Olympus EPL7, as this feature is not present in the Sony a5100.


Built-In Flash

A built-in flash is usually the primary source of lighting available to a camera. This flash helps you get bright enough images in low light areas without having to do so much. As a matter of fact, you do not have to do anything apart from punch a few buttons.

This is really cool, because you won’t always be able to better the lighting in your location, and so, when you can’t, your camera’s in-built flash can easily come to your rescue.

Anyway, this feature is unique to the Sony a5100, which means that the Olympus EPL7 does not have a built-in flash. Now, does that mean that the EPL7 will be a bad idea to shoot with in low light? Well, let’s find out.


External Flash Hot Shoe

So, we just mentioned that the Sony a5100 has a built-in flash, while the Olympus EPL7 does not. Well, this is where it gets interesting, because reverse is the case when it comes to the external flash hot shoe feature.

You might know, or might have already guessed that this is the feature that allows you connect an external flash to your camera. What this means is that although the EPL7 does not have an in-built flash, it does more than make up for that by coming with the external flash hot shoe feature.

Therefore, you can very easily get an external flash, mount on the hot shoe, and get better lighting from your camera than an in-built flash can provide.

So, to answer the question we asked earlier, no, the Olympus EPL7 is far from being a bad idea to shoot with in low light. As a matter of fact, if you will be doing a lot of flash photography with your camera, then this is probably the better camera for you.


Near Field Communication (NFC)

So, in the “common features” section, we showed you how the Wi-Fi feature on your camera works, and how easy and convenient it is to use, too. But guess what, it gets even easier. With near field communication, you can connect your camera to a compatible device close by even more easily.

If your camera comes with the near field communication (NFC) feature, and you have a smartphone that is NFC compatible, to connect both wirelessly, all you would need to do is tap on the NFC icon on the camera with the smartphone, and you are in. Yes, it is literally that easy.

Note that you must first have the app (Playmemories for Sony cameras) installed on your phone before you attempt to use this feature, and from there, literally just one touch will get you in.

This feature can only be gotten on the Sony camera, and the video below shows you how you can connect an NFC compatible camera to an NFC compatible smartphone with just one touch. Watch it here!


Time-Lapse Recording

The time-lapse recording feature is one that helps you manipulate time a little when you record videos. So, essentially, a video that would have been really long, could be made into a short video with time-lapse, and the interesting part is that the essence of the recording won’t be lost.

This type of recording really enhances and expands the creativity of photographers, and this is something that can only be achieved with the Olympus EPL7.


Panorama

This is a feature unique to the Sony a5100. This means that, with this camera, you are able to take a couple of shots and stitch them all into one photo.

This is a fun feature to use, one that will be helping you stretch your creativity a little more.

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Unique Pros — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

Which comes with a built-in flash: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

Coming with a built-in flash, the Sony a5100 has a very easily accessible source of lighting. Thanks to this flash, you won’t have to do so much to get bright enough images, even in low light areas. This is not something you have to buy or always try to remember to take with you, it is always with your camera. Therefore, anywhere your camera goes, your lighting goes with you. Lovely!


Which has more focus points: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

The Sony a51000 has about a hundred more focus points than the Olympus EPL7 — 179 vs 81. Therefore, you will be able to achieve better focusing with the a5100 than with the EPL7.


Which has the higher maximum sensor resolution: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

The Sony a5100 is a 24 mega pixel APS-C CMOS sensor camera, while the Olympus EPL7 is a 16 mega pixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor camera. Now, what all those numbers and letters mean is that you will be getting more pixels and a bigger sensor with the Sony camera than with the Olympus one.

More pixels means bigger prints, more detail, and if you would be using your images on large scales, then this would be even more important to you. 50 percent more detail with the Sony a5100 means that you will be getting 50 percent larger prints. And in this case, the bigger, the better.


Which comes with near field communication: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

Both the Sony a5100 and Olympus EPL7 allow you create wireless connections with compatible devices, but the Sony a5100 is the only one of the two with near field communication (NFC), this means that you can create a wireless connection just by touching this camera with an NFC compatible device.


Which can take panoramic shots: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

You will be able to make awesome panoramic photos with the Sony a5100, but you cannot this with the Olympus EPL7.


Which is better for flash photography: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

The Olympus EPL7 is the better camera of the two for flash photography as it is the only one with a hot shoe upon which you can mount an external flash. An external flash typically gives you better lighting, and has a wider reach than a built-in flash which is all the Sony a5100 comes with.


Which comes with image stabilization: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

If your camera shakes or vibrates while you shoot, with image stabilization on the Olympus EPL7, images are sure to look stable and sharp, and well, that is not something that can be said of the Sony a5100. And considering that it is nearly impossible to stop your camera from shaking, especially when you are not using a tripod stand, this feature is one that is even more appreciated in the EPL7.


Which has the wider auto exposure bracketing range: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

You are able to get a maximum of 3 shots when using the auto exposure bracketing feature with the Sony a5100, and a maximum of 5 with the Olympus EPL7. This might seem like a little difference of 2, but that surely does give you more options; options that are very useful when shooting HDR photos.


Which can record time-lapse: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

Unlike the a5100, the Olympus EPL7 allows you record time-lapse videos, and with this, you can go on to express your creative side. This feature is one commonly used to exhibit nature.


Which has the faster startup: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

When it comes to startup time, a second is really a long time. So, the Olympus EPL7 being able to start up in 0.5 seconds is quite impressive; even more so when compared to the Sony a5100 which takes about 2 seconds to come up. Therefore, if you are trying to catch the moment, you would surely prefer to do that with a camera that starts up four times faster than its counterpart.


Which is faster in continuous shooting: Sony a5100 or Olympus EPL7?

The Olympus EPL7 boasts an 8 frames per second speed in burst mode. This means that you will be able to take up to 8 frames in every second of continuous shooting. This, for an entry-level camera, is pretty fast; 30 per cent faster than that of the Sony a5100.

Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Unique Cons — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7


Cons Of Sony a5100

i. No external flash hot shoe

ii. No image stabilization

iii. No time-lapse

iv. Relatively slow startup

No External Flash

The Sony a5100 does not have an external flash hot shoe, and that means that you won’t be able to enhance your camera’s lighting beyond what the in-built flash offers.

Yes, an in-built flash gives you bright images, but an external flash gives you even brighter images, and does better for you in flash photography. These are a few of the things you will be missing out on with this camera, because of a lack of an external flash hot shoe.


No Image Stabilization

If you are trying to take photos while on the move, the Sony a5100 is surely not the best camera to do that with. This camera does not come with image stabilization, therefore, if the camera shakes, there would be nothing to erase the effects of those shakes on the images it would be producing.

So, what this means is that movements of your camera while you take photos could cause your images to look very untidy. Not very good!


No Time-Lapse Recording

You will not be able to record time-lapse videos with the Sony a5100.


Slow Camera Startup

This camera takes a whole 2 seconds to startup, and that is more than enough for you to lose the moment you wanted to capture.

As a matter of fact, to startup, this camera takes 4 times the time it takes the Olympus EPL7 to startup. Not very impressive.

Cons Of The Olympus EPL7

i. No built-in flash

ii. No near field communication

iii. No Panorama

No Built-In Flash

Without an external flash connected to this camera, it would be really difficult to get bright photos in low light areas. A camera’s internal flash is usually the primary lighting of that camera, the one that is always with the camera. But well, you won’t be able to get that with this camera.

So, if you are to shoot in a low light area, and it happens that you don’t have an external flash, or you forgot to bring it along, then you are going to be having a not very good photo shoot – if there would be any at all.


No Near Field Communication (NFC)

Though the Olympus EPL7 allows you create wireless connections with compatible devices close by, it does not give you that extra convenience of connecting with just a touch of a button.

Near field communication (NFC) allows you create a wireless connection with a nearby compatible device so easily, and we have mentioned that a couple of times already in this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison article. Therefore, seeing as the Olympus EPL7 does not come with NFC, you must already know how much convenience you will be missing out on.


No Panorama

Unlike with the Sony a5100, you will not be able to make panoramic photos with the Olympus EPL7.         

Check out these other articles:

Common Pros — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

 

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

Convenience in operation The Sony a5100 is a touch screen camera, and that means that, to a very large extent, you get to operate this camera like a smartphone.
The advantage of this is that you won’t have to always look for buttons, you can just tap on your screen, and that generally makes accessibility to your camera’s functions a lot easier for you.
The Olympus EPL7 is also a touch screen camera, so, it is also pretty easy to operate. This is surely good news seeing as these cameras were primarily designed for beginners.
Flexible shooting This camera comes with an articulating screen, and with it, you are able to get shots from really interesting angles. This makes shooting a whole lot more fun, more flexible, and more efficient. This one also comes with an articulating screen, so, shooting can also be flexible with it.
Selfie friendly and good for vlogging The articulating screen of this camera is able to flip 180 degrees upward, which means that it is just ideal for taking selfies and recording vlogging videos. So, if you are a vlogger, or you are just someone who goes for tours, holidays, walks, alone, you would really love this camera. You can take photos, record videos of yourself, by yourself without needing anybody’s help. Awesome! This camera also has an articulating screen that flips 180 degrees upward, which makes is great for selfies and vlogging, too.
Lightweight You know another thing that makes a camera great to take on tours, vacations, and walks with? Well, it’s its weight. A lightweight camera is surely one you won’t mind taking everywhere and anywhere with you. And weighing 0.62 pounds (283 grams), the Sony a5100 is just exactly that – a lightweight camera. Hence, another reason it is great for all such activities. This is another great camera for vacations, walks, and all of that. The Olympus EPL7 weighs 0.79 pounds (357 grams), and even though it is not as lightweight as the Sony a5100, it is also a lightweight camera in itself.
Great portraits You will be able to take awesome portrait photographs with this camera. Why? Well, because the Sony a5100 comes with face detection focus. This means that it will be able to detect all the human faces in its frame, and focus on them, which is the pretty much what makes an awesome portrait photo. The Olympus EPL7 also comes with face detection focus, and so is another awesome camera to take portrait photos with.
High image quality The Sony a5100 comes with RAW support, which means that you can take photos and let them store in their uncompressed format, preserving all the detail and all the quality. The EPL7 also comes with RAW support, meaning you can get images of very high quality with this camera, too.
Efficient shooting in tough lighting Auto exposure bracketing in this camera allows you get 3 different shots with just one click, all 3 with different exposure settings. With this, you save time, and save yourself the stress of trying to find the right exposure setting to use.

Also, this feature is great for HDR.
Pretty much same as the Sony a5100. However, you can get up to 5 different shots with just a click of the shutter button with the Olympus EPL7. This, of course, will be giving you a little more efficiency than what the a5100 offers.
Wireless transfer of files The Sony a5100, as we have mentioned already in this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison article, has an in-built Wi-Fi. Thus, you are able to easily connect to Wi-Fi compatible devices nearby, and do a wireless transfer of files in no time.

It gets even easier with this camera, because you can initiate a one touch wireless connection here with the help of near field communication (NFC).
This is yet another Wi-Fi compatible camera. So, you will be able to do a wireless transfer of files with this camera, too.

However, this camera does not come with NFC, so, a one touch connection would be impossible.
Remote controlled shooting After you must have wirelessly connected the nearby compatible device to the Sony a5100, you can go ahead to use that device – say a smartphone – to conduct a remote controlled shooting. Therefore, without touching your camera at all, you can get great shots from it just by using your smartphone as a remote control for it. You are also able to conduct a smartphone remote controlled shooting with the Olympus EPL7.
Larger display You are able to connect your camera to a television screen with the use of an HDMI wire, and thus, view your camera’s images on displays bigger than that of your camera. Same as the Sony a5100.
Affordability Another really good thing about this camera is that, in spite of the many amazing features it comes with, it is quite affordable and budget friendly. This camera won’t be eating so deep into your pocket, so, you can save some bucks for other equally important stuff. Though only slightly less affordable, the Olympus EPL7 is still another budget friendly camera. This is one of the things that makes it the ideal Entry-Level camera
Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Common Cons — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

 

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

No electronic viewfinder Now, if you recall, earlier in this Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 comparison article when we talked about mirrorless cameras, we mentioned electronic viewfinders a couple of times. So, yes, electronic viewfinders are exclusive to mirrorless cameras, but not all mirrorless cameras come with them – just like the Sony a5100.   So, does the lack of an electronic viewfinder in this camera affect ones shooting with it? Well, the simple answer is yes. Without a viewfinder, it will be hell trying to shoot in direct sunlight. In direct sunlight, you will struggle to see what is on the camera’s screen, and this will surely make shooting very difficult.

Also, an electronic viewfinder helps you frame your images before capturing, and there is no way to do that on your LCD screen. Generally, you are more in control of your shooting with a viewfinder, but without one, most – if not all – of that control is lost.
The Olympus EPL7 also does not come with an electronic viewfinder, so, you will be suffering the same disadvantages in this aspect as with the Sony a5100.
No Bluetooth The Sony a5100 does not offer you any other form of wireless connection aside Wi-Fi. So, at times when you cannot connect using Wi-Fi, you would have to fall back on cables, which is surely not good news for anyone living in this age of technological advancement.

Bluetooth offers you more when it comes to wireless connectivity, but well, sadly, you won’t be getting any of that “more” with the Sony a5100.
The Olympus EPL7 also does not have an in-built Bluetooth. Therefore, wireless connectivity with this camera is limited to just Wi-Fi.
No weather sealing This camera does not have a weather sealed body. What this means is that it is not safe to use the Sony a5100 in harsh weather conditions. The Olympus EPL7 also does not have a weather sealed body, which means it is also unsafe to use this camera in tough weather conditions.
No GPS Without an in-built GPS, it is impossible for one to geo-tag one’s photos and/or videos with this camera. You also cannot geo-tag images with this camera, because it also does not have an in-built GPS.
No external microphone jack This camera does not let you improve on your audio quality from recordings.
This is surely bad news if you have to record a lot of audio and video in noisy environments. The quality of audio that the camera’s internal microphone can deliver is very limited, so, one would usually need to improve on that with an external microphone. Anyway, seeing as there is no external microphone jack on this camera, that would be impossible.
This camera also does not have an external microphone jack, meaning that it is also impossible to improve audio quality beyond what the internal microphone can produce.
No headphone jack Headphones put you in control of your recordings. However, this camera does not have a headphone jack, so, you won’t be able to use headphones with this camera. Same as the Sony a5100.
Not top display The Sony a5100 does not come with a screen at the top of the camera on which settings can be conveniently viewed. The Olympus EPL7 also does not come with a top display.
No slow motion It will be impossible for you to record slow motion videos with the Sony a5100. You also will not be able to record slow motion videos with the Olympus EPL7.
Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

What Do People Think About Both Cameras — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7?

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

Beginners and amateur photographers seem to be big fans of the Sony a5100. They particularly love how compact it is, and how easy it is to operate, too. The Olympus EPL7 is also loved for the convenience it gives, and for its affordability, and its light weight, too.

In addition to that, customers seem to be extra pleased with the camera’s meter. According to them, it always delivers perfectly exposed shots.
Anyway, people have had an issue with this camera’s lack of an electronic viewfinder. Many have said that shooting with an LCD screen – especially outdoors when the sun is really bright – can be so much trouble, and at times like that, they really wished the Sony a5100 came with an electronic viewfinder.

Also, a lot of people have complained that the a5100 overheats. And if it does that while you are recording, the camera will shut down without saving your video. A lot of people were really not happy about this.
The Olympus EPL7 also lacks an electronic viewfinder, and while some customers were indifferent about that, some others really wished for one – especially those who have had previous experiences shooting with cameras with viewfinders.  
Furthermore, customers have rung praises about the vlogging capabilities of this camera. Vloggers and YouTubers seem to be in love with this one. Also, some others say that they are now able to conveniently get great shots even when they are shooting low. This is another camera many have called a great vlogging camera. The articulating screen of this camera is able to flip 180 degrees upward, and that is the primary reason people have termed it that.
The Sony a5100, people have said is great for portrait photography. Apart from the fact that it comes with face detection focus, it also has a facial smoother that even makes the human faces look sharper and much clearer. Customers seem more than impressed with the image stabilization feature. They have said that shooting with the Olympus EPL7 gives them more confidence in the results they are about to get. Because no matter how many times the camera shakes, the Olympus EPL7 is sure to stabilize the eventual images.
Generally, customers have said that the Sony a5100 is a great camera that produces really great results. Many have recommended this for vlogging, some have recommended it for vacationing, tours, and hikes, while some others have labelled it just the right camera for beginners. The major reasons for these recommendations are that the Sony a5100 has an articulating screen, is compact, and is pretty affordable. The Olympus EPL7 has received pretty much the same recommendations from customers as the Sony a5100.

However, unlike a5100, people have said that this camera, even though an Entry-Level camera will be doing well in flash photography.
Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Our Take — Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7

Sony a5100

Olympus EPL7

The Sony a5100 is a pretty lovely camera, especially for beginners. It is portable, functional, gives great results, and is really easy to use. What is there not to love about this camera, really? The Olympus is yet another camera that we think is lovely for amateur photography, and personal use, too. In fact, with the functions and features this camera comes with, you can even use it for some professional business. For example, you are able to get great lighting with an external flash, you can get stabilized images, and you can shoot relatively fast on burst mode. An events photographer will indeed be happy with this camera.
We also really love that this camera is affordable, so, with less than 500 bucks, you can get a good camera that you are sure will be delivering amazing results. Also, the selfie mode of this camera is so much fun, and so, if you are a vlogger the Sony a5100 is a camera we would recommend for you. Imagine being able to get up to 5 shots with just one click of a button with auto exposure bracketing on an Entry-Level camera; that is just really lovely.
You are also able to get amazing results in portrait photography, and we sure can say that, for an Entry-Level camera, the Olympus EPL7 really is highly functional.
However, we would have loved it if this camera had a viewfinder, shooting would have been a lot more fun and more convenient. Anyway, though, the LCD does a pretty amazing job, especially when shooting indoors. This is a touch screen camera, so, it is one that will be giving you ease of access.

Summarily, the Sony a5100 is a pretty lovely camera that will be giving you a lot of value for your money. It may come in second place in terms of features and functions, but its affordability puts it at par with the Olympus EPL7 for price-value ratio.
This, too, does not come with a viewfinder, and we wish that wasn’t the case. But the touch screen which is also flexible lets you do a lot of easy, flexible shooting.

Being the only one of the two with image stabilization, an external hot shoe, among others, we think the EPL7 comes with more features and better functions. But it will be giving you just about the same value for its price as the a5100 will be giving for its own price.

If we could add anything to this camera, it would easily be an external microphone jack. But all that aside, Olympus did an awesome job with this Entry-Level mirrorless camera, and we did love it.
Click here to buy the Sony a5100 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Olympus E-PL7 on Amazon now.

Sony a5100 vs Olympus EPL7 – FAQs

Is the Olympus EPL7 a full frame camera?

The Olympus EPL7 is not a full frame camera. Sadly, it is a lot smaller than that. This camera is designed with a Four Thirds CMOS sensor, which is smaller than the APS-C sensor, which is smaller than the full frame sensor. This is perhaps even worse because this sensor has a maximum resolution of 16 mega pixels.

Well, perhaps you can overlook the sensor on this camera because it is designed for beginners. And well, it has RAW support, so, you can always get high quality images.

Is the Olympus EPL7 good for beginners?

The Olympus EPL7 is a good camera for beginners. If you have never used a camera before, you surely want one that is easy to operate, and that is exactly what the EPL7 is. This camera comes with a touch sensitive LCD screen, so, if you use a smartphone, finding your way around this camera won’t be too difficult for you.

Also, the Olympus EPL7 does not cost so much, so, you won’t have to break the bank to get your first camera.

Does the Olympus EPL7 have wireless connection?

The Olympus EPL7 comes with built-in Wi-Fi. With this, you will be able to connect this camera to a nearby smartphone and transfer files quickly and easily. Also, with that connection, you will be able to use your smartphone as a remote controlling device. But well, Wi-Fi is all you get with this camera.

For a beginner camera, it would have been lovely to have near field communication which would make it possible for you to connect with a nearby device just by touching them together, but the EPL7 does not come with that. It also does not have Bluetooth.

Is the Olympus EPL7 fast?

For an entry-level camera, the Olympus EPL7 is fast in continuous shooting. With this one, you will be able to take 8 frames in each second of burst mode shooting. This is particularly great for when you have to take photos of people or objects in motion. The more photos you can take in a second, the higher your chances of getting the best photo of the person or thing in motion.

To be honest, the Olympus EPL7 is faster than most entry-level cameras in burst mode, so, this is a pretty big deal.

Is the Olympus EPL7 good for HDR photography?

The Olympus EPL7 is great for HDR photography. The major feature you need to be able to take the best HDR photos auto exposure bracketing. And not only does this camera come with this feature, it has a pretty wide bracketing range.

Now, most beginner cameras that have this feature have a bracketing range of +/-3, that is, you will only be able to take 3 shots with different exposures. However, the EPL7 has a bracketing range of +/-5, and you know what that means. So, although this is a beginner camera, it can get you amazing HDR photographs.

Does the Olympus EPL7 have image stabilization?

The Olympus EPL7 comes with built-in sensor-shift image stabilization. This is such great news because, a lot of times when you shoot with the camera in your hands, it is hard to stop those little shakes or vibrations which could ruin the quality of the photos. However, with image stabilization, you won’t have to worry about that so much.

Basically, even without shooting with a tripod stand, you will be able to get sharp and steady images even at long exposures and at long focal lengths.

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