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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax Q
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Pentax Q

 E-5 Q 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer 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 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011June 2011Same generation
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q size comparison

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

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
45
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
71
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
56
environment sealing
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
low resolution (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
64
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
has mic support
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax Q
 Olympus E-5Pentax 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