Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs
67 Imaging
41 Features
31 Overall
37


60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67
Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
- Introduced January 2005
- Also referred to as EVOLT E-300
- Later Model is Olympus E-330
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced June 2013
- Previous Model is Pentax K-5

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview
The following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-300 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

The E-300 was launched 9 years prior to the K-5 IIs which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going into a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-300 grades vs the K-5 IIs with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-300 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-300 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
E-300 | K-5 IIs |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Olympus E-300
K-5 IIs | E-300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2005 | Newer by 102 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 134k | Crisper screen (+787k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-5 IIs
E-300 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-300 features exterior dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") having a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-300 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-300 versus the K-5 IIs.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-300 and K-5 IIs is 67 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and K-5 IIs.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-300 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-5 IIs will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-300 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
Olympus E-300 | Pentax K-5 IIs | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-300 | Pentax K-5 IIs |
Also Known as | EVOLT E-300 | - |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2005-01-10 | 2013-06-04 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 400 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | 1600 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
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 |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 1.8 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 134k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 624g (1.38 lb) | 760g (1.68 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 shots |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail price | $800 | $749 |