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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-3
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The E-5 was revealed 6 years earlier than the K-1 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-5 matches up versus the K-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-5 K-1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-1 E-5 
IntroducedFebruary 2016February 2011Fresher by 61 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)

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

 E-5 K-1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 comes with physical 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-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).

Look at the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-5 versus the K-1.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and K-1 is 58 and 55 respectively.

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and K-1.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-5 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will deliver more detail because of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older E-5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

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

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
85
focusing manually
fantastic sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
71
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 Travel photography info
56
environment proof
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
53
weather proof
fantastic sensor resolution (36MP)
low battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
64
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
has microphone jack
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus E-5Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-5 Pentax K-1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-03 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 33
Cross focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 1010 gr (2.23 lb)
Dimensions 143 x 117 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 All around score 56 96
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 14.6
DXO Low light score 519 3280
Other
Battery life 870 photographs 760 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 2 2
Launch pricing $1,700 $1,499