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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-5 and Pentax MX-1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-5 was introduced 3 years prior to the MX-1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-5 grades versus the MX-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-5 MX-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 MX-1 E-5 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2011Newer by 29 months

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

 E-5 MX-1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution920k920kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor 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") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-5 and Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 vs the MX-1.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and MX-1 is 58 and 84 respectively.

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and MX-1.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-5 contains the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
42
manual focus
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography information
Pentax MX-1 Street photography information
71
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (290 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
56
weather sealing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
61
better than average battery power (290 shots)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (391g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
low MP (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-5
Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
64
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
comes with microphone port
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
33
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus E-5Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-5 Pentax MX-1
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-03 2013-07-01
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (1.76 lb) 391 gr (0.86 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 49
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 11.3
DXO Low light score 519 208
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 290 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 D-Li-106
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 Two 1
Cost at launch $1,700 $400