Clicky

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

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

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-1
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-M1 II was revealed 17 months prior to the K-1 II which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the K-1 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

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

 E-M1 II K-1 II 
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-1 II E-M1 II 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018September 2016Newer by 17 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

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

 E-M1 II K-1 II 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen resolution1037k1037kExact same screen resolution

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

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II offers exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II in the latest 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 utilising at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II against the K-1 II.

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

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and K-1 II is 68 and 55 respectively.

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

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

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and K-1 II.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-1 II will show more detail because of its extra 16MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 II will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography highlights
75
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
86
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography info
Pentax K-1 II Street photography info
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather proofing
lighter than competition (574g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography advice
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery (670 shots)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography info
72
lighter than competition (574 grams)
weather proofing
offers focus by touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
53
weather sealing
MP count fantastic (36MP)
bad battery (670 per charge)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography info
76
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
82
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
bad battery (670 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging advice
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic socket
lighter than competition (574g)
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others (1,010g)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2018-02-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 819200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
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 All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 670 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $1,700 $1,737