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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(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
Pentax K-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
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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.

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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.

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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 
ReleasedApril 2014November 2003More modern by 126 months
Display dimension3.2"1.8"Larger display (+1.4")
Display resolution1037k134kCrisper display (+903k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-3

 E-1 K-3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
46
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (5MP)
79
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
lighter than others (735 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
low battery (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-1
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
47
lighter than others (735 grams)
weather proofing
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (5 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery (560 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography highlights
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is small (1.8")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 Vlogging features
9
no video
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus E-1Pentax 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