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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Released November 2003
  • Successor is Olympus E-3
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-1 was manufactured 8 years before the K-5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-1 scores vs the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax K-5

 E-1 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-1

 K-5 E-1 
IntroducedDecember 2010November 2003Newer by 85 months
Screen size3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k134kSharper screen (+787k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-5

 E-1 K-5 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 offers external dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-1 versus the K-5.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and K-5 is 59 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and K-5.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-5 will offer you greater detail due to its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax K-5
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (735 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
47
lighter than average in class (735g)
weather sealing
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
small screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
9
no video
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus E-1Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-1 Pentax K-5
Category Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2003-11-29 2010-12-18
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 1.8" 3"
Display resolution 134k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 740 gr (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,700 $800