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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-5 versus Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-5 was announced 8 years earlier than the K-1 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-5 grades vs the K-1 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-5 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-1 II E-5 
ReleasedFebruary 2018February 2011Newer by 85 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

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

 E-5 K-1 II 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 enjoys outside measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-5 versus Pentax K-1 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-5 and the K-1 II.

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

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and K-1 II is 58 and 55 respectively.

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and K-1 II.

As you can see, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-1 II will result in greater detail with its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
86
focusing manually
excellent megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography features
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
bad battery life (670 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography advice
56
weather proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
53
environment proofing
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
bad battery life (670 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography highlights
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (819,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging highlights
64
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
does have external mic support
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus E-5Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-5 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-02-03 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ PRIME IV
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 Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 819200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 33
Cross focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest 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 WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
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 Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 shots 670 shots
Type 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
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $1,700 $1,737