Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q
58 Imaging
47 Features
76 Overall
58


93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Key Specs
(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
- Released February 2011
- Older Model is Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Announced June 2011
- Replacement is Pentax Q10

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-5 versus Pentax Q, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

The E-5 was released 4 months earlier than the Q which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-5 scores versus the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-5 and Pentax Q. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Pentax Q
E-5 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-5
Q | E-5 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Pentax Q
E-5 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2011 | ![]() | June 2011 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 comes with external dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-5 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-5 compared to the Q.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and Q is 58 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The visual underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and Q.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-5 features the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Pentax Q | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus E-5 | Pentax Q |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2011-02-03 | 2011-06-23 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
Number of lenses | 45 | 8 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 pounds) | 180g (0.40 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 47 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.6 | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.5 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 519 | 189 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 870 shots | 230 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLM-5 | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | 1 |
Launch price | $1,700 | $695 |