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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand 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
  • Announced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-5 was announced 3 years prior to the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-5 matches up versus the K-5 IIs with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-5 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-5 IIs E-5 
AnnouncedJune 2013February 2011More recent by 28 months
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

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

 E-5 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-5 versus the K-5 IIs.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and K-5 IIs is 58 and 60 respectively.

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-5 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-5 IIs will show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older E-5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography features
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography details
56
weather sealing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
65
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging features
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging features
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
comes with mic support
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Olympus E-5Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-5 Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2011-02-03 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
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
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 14.1
DXO Low light rating 519 1208
Other
Battery life 870 images 980 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,700 $749