Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01
58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58


76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61
Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
- Released February 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
- Revealed May 2012

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The E-5 was launched 16 months prior to the K-01 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-5 scores versus the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-5 & Pentax K-01. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-5 Gallery & Pentax K-01 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Pentax K-01
E-5 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-5
K-01 | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 16 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-01
E-5 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 enjoys exterior measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has sizing of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-5 against the K-01.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and K-01 is 58 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and K-01.
As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-5 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-01 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Pentax K-01 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus E-5 | Pentax K-01 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2011-02-03 | 2012-05-30 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic V+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 81 |
Cross focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 920k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) | 561 grams (1.24 lbs) |
Dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 56 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.6 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.5 | 12.9 |
DXO Low light score | 519 | 1135 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 870 photographs | 540 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLM-5 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Dual | Single |
Launch cost | $1,700 | $899 |