Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1
68 Imaging
59 Features
93 Overall
72


55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II & Pentax K-1. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 II Gallery & Pentax K-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-1
E-M1 II | K-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2016 | ![]() | February 2016 | Fresher 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 dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 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 type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 1037k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II | Pentax 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 |