Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II
59 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
- Launched November 2003
- Renewed by Olympus E-3
(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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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.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-1 & Pentax K-5 II. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-1 Gallery & Pentax K-5 II Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2013 | November 2003 | Newer by 115 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 1.8" | Larger display (+1.2") | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 134k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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