Clicky

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-5 was launched very close to the K-r and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-5 matches up versus the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

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

 E-5 K-r 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-r E-5 
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

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

 E-5 K-r 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011March 2011Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 features outside measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-5 vs the K-r.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and K-r is 58 and 67 respectively.

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specifications. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and K-r.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-5 provides the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier.

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

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Pentax K-r
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography information
Pentax K-r Travel photography information
56
environment sealing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
47
flash built-in
low battery (470 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery (470 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
includes external microphone support
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-r
 Olympus E-5Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-5 Pentax K-r
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-02-03 2011-03-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 598 gr (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 12.4
DXO Low light rating 519 755
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 470 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 D-LI109,4 x AA
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
Card slots Dual One
Launch cost $1,700 $1,100