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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-5
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was introduced 9 years prior to the K-1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-3 matches up versus the K-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax K-1

 E-3 K-1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-3

 K-1 E-3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016February 2008More recent by 97 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

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

 E-3 K-1 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-3 provides external measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the K-1.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and K-1 is 56 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over specifications. The photograph below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and K-1.

Plainly, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-3 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older E-3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
57
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
85
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography advice
Pentax K-1 Street photography advice
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
58
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
55
weather proofing
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
53
weather proofing
MP count excellent (36MP)
low battery pack (760 shots)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
56
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
small screen (2.5")
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
81
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-3
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
18
no video shooting
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus E-3Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-3 Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-02-20 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 3200 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890g (1.96 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 96
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 14.6
DXO Low light rating 571 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One 2
Cost at release $670 $1,499