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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Launched November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-5 II, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The E-1 was revealed 10 years before the K-5 II which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-1 grades against the K-5 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-1 K-5 II 

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

 K-5 II E-1 
LaunchedJune 2013November 2003Newer by 115 months
Display dimensions3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution921k134kSharper display (+787k dot)

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

 E-1 K-5 II 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 features exterior dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-5 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-1 compared to the K-5 II.

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

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and K-5 II is 59 and 60 respectively.

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The picture here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and K-5 II.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-5 II will give more detail because of its extra 11MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (5MP)
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than competition (735g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography features
47
lighter than competition (735g)
environment proofing
no Timelapse mode
low MP (5MP)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography features
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus E-1Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax K-5 II
Category Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2003-11-29 2013-06-04
Physical type Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 2560 x 1920 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 134 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
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 score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $1,700 $830