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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax K-3 II, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the K-3 II (24MP) is very comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was brought out 18 months after the K-3 II making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M1 II matches up against the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-3 II

 E-M1 II K-3 II 
LaunchedSeptember 2016April 2015More modern by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Olympus E-M1 II

 K-3 II E-M1 II 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-3 II

 E-M1 II K-3 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution1037k1037kSame display resolution

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II has 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) while the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the K-3 II.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and K-3 II is 68 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The image underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and K-3 II.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 II will provide greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
75
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
79
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography information
Pentax K-3 II Street photography information
78
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
environment proofing
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (350 per charge)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
72
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
environment proofing
features touch to focus
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
56
weather proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography advice
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery (350 per charge)
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
lighter than competitors (574g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-3 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-3 II
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-3 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2015-04-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1312 1106
Other
Battery life 350 shots 720 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $1,700 $829