Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3
59 Imaging
38 Features
36 Overall
37


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
- Revealed November 2003
- Successor is Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Released April 2014
- Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
Following is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-3, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

The E-1 was launched 11 years prior to the K-3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-1 matches up vs the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-1 & Pentax K-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-1 Gallery & Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax K-3
E-1 | K-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-1
K-3 | E-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2014 | ![]() | November 2003 | More modern by 126 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 1.8" | Larger display (+1.4") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 134k | Crisper display (+903k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-3
E-1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-1 has exterior measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-1 versus the K-3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The pic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and K-3.
Plainly, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 19MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Olympus E-1 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-1 | Pentax K-3 |
Category | Pro DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2003-11-29 | 2014-04-10 |
Body design | Large SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime III |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 5 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 2560 x 1920 | 6016 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 27 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 45 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 1.8 inches | 3.2 inches |
Resolution of display | 134k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.48x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 8.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 735 gr (1.62 pounds) | 800 gr (1.76 pounds) |
Dimensions | 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 560 images |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Cost at launch | $1,700 | $639 |