Mitsubishi FX5U vs Omron CP2E: Compact PLC Cross-Reference
The FX5 generation and the CP2E-N are the two compact controllers most often specified on Asian-built OEM machines. Both pair built-in Ethernet with 24-60 I/O points at OEM pricing — and both have a hard ceiling where motion control begins.
On everyday machine I/O the mapping is straightforward: match the I/O count, choose relay or transistor outputs to suit the loads, and match the Ethernet expectations — FX5 speaks MC protocol and SLMP, CP2E speaks EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP. If the surrounding equipment (vision, robot, MES) already speaks one of those, it decides the argument for you.
The ceiling is motion. The FX5 range extends into positioning with expansion modules; on the Omron side, CP2E has no motion story at all — coordinated axes mean stepping up to CJ2M with a position control unit, or to the Sysmac NX1P2 with EtherCAT. Size the controller for the axis count the machine will have in five years, not the one it has today.
Model mapping
| Competitor model | Omron equivalent class | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| FX5UJ-24M | CP2E-N20 class | Entry compact class; both target small standalone machines. |
| FX5U-32MT | CP2E-N30DT-D | Mid compact class. Match transistor (-DT) vs relay (-DR) outputs to the loads. |
| FX5U-64MT | CP2E-N60DT-D | Top of the compact class on both sides. |
| FX5U + FX5-40SSC / positioning modules | CJ2M + CJ1W-NCF71, or NX1P2 EtherCAT | Motion moves you off the compact platform entirely on the Omron side. |
What we stock on the Omron side
We stock CP2E-N20/N30/N40/N60 in relay and transistor variants, CP1W expansion, and the CJ/NX platforms for machines that outgrow the compact class — including the NX1P2 with EtherCAT when axes are on the roadmap.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
FX5U or CP2E for a simple packaging machine?
Either handles the I/O. Decide on the ecosystem around it: if the machine's vision, HMI or MES link already uses EtherNet/IP tags, the CP2E drops in cleanly; if it uses SLMP/MC protocol, the FX5 does. For more than a couple of positioning axes, skip both compact lines and compare NX1P2 against the FX5 motion modules.
Can a GX Works3 project be converted to CX-Programmer?
No. The tools share no file format and the instruction mnemonics differ. Treat a brand move as a rewrite with the old project as the specification.
Does the CP2E support EtherCAT like the FX5 can with expansion?
No EtherCAT on CP2E — its Ethernet is EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP. Omron's EtherCAT motion platform is Sysmac: NX1P2 for compact machines, NX7 for larger ones. If EtherCAT is a requirement, that is the family to price.
Do you stock the CP2E with transistor outputs for servo/stepper signalling?
Yes — CP2E-N30DT1-D and N60DT1-D variants with high-speed transistor outputs are stocked lines. Send the pulse frequency and axis count you need and we confirm the exact suffix before quoting.
MITSUBISHI, MELSEC and FX are trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Omron, CP, CJ, NX, NB, NS, NA, Sysmac, S8VK, S8VS, S8FS, E2B, E2E, E3Z, E3FA, E3X and CP1W are trademarks of Omron Corporation. All trademarks are named for identification and cross-reference purposes only. Hengyixin Automation is an independent distributor, not affiliated with or authorised by any of these manufacturers.