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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was manufactured 8 months later than the K-1 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 II grades vs the K-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-1

 E-M1 II K-1 
ReleasedSeptember 2016February 2016Fresher by 8 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 K-1 E-M1 II 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-1

 E-M1 II K-1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen resolution1037k1037kExact same screen resolution

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 II against the K-1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and K-1 is 68 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The graphic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and K-1.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will give extra detail due to its extra 16MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
75
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
85
focusing manually
MP count excellent (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition (574 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
very good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than average in class (1,010 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery (350 per charge)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
slow fps (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery life (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than competition (574g)
weather proofing
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
bad battery (350 per charge)
53
weather sealing
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
bad battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than average in class (1,010g)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
76
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery (350 CIPA)
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
79
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic jack
lighter than competition (574g)
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-1
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-09-19 2016-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 96
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 14.6
DXO Low light score 1312 3280
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 760 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Two Two
Retail pricing $1,700 $1,499