Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs. Pentax K-5: A Deep Dive into Two Pro-Grade Cameras

Choosing the right camera can be a complex journey, especially when assessing two well-respected models from different eras and manufacturers. Today, we're comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a pro mirrorless camera launched in 2016, with the Pentax K-5, a classic advanced DSLR released in 2010. Both have loyal followings and excel in various photographic scenarios, but they bring very different strengths to the table.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dissect their performance across a broad spectrum of photography genres, detail their technical nuances, and assess their practical benefits and limitations - helping you find the best fit for your creative needs. Our comparison is informed by extensive hands-on testing and real-world usage.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

The physical feel of a camera is fundamental - it influences comfort, control, and shooting confidence. Let's start by sizing them up.

The Olympus E-M1 II favors a compact, balanced body that fits comfortably in the hand without fatigue. Its lighter weight (574 g) compared to the Pentax’s 740 g reflects its Micro Four Thirds mirrorless design. The significantly thinner profile helps when packing light - especially valuable during long shoots or travel.

By contrast, the Pentax K-5 maintains the solid heft and ergonomics of a conventional DSLR. The pronounced grip and robust weather sealing give you assurance in challenging environments but at the cost of more bulk.

Both cameras feature weather resistance, making them adventure-ready. Ergonomically, Olympus leans on modern mirrorless design with touchscreen articulation, whereas Pentax sticks to DSLR familiarity with a top-panel LCD and traditional controls.

Control Layout and User Interface: Mastering the Workflow

A fluid shooting experience depends on physical controls and user interface intuitiveness - both can significantly affect your creative flow.

• Olympus E-M1 II offers a professional-level control layout with a twin control dial system, 121 focus points, and a fully articulating 3.0" touchscreen LCD with 1037k dots. Its electronic viewfinder has a 2,360k-dot resolution, providing a crisp preview with 100% coverage and a 0.74x magnification.

• Pentax K-5 uses a more traditional DSLR design with an optical pentaprism viewfinder, 100% coverage but 0.61x magnification. Its 3.0" fixed TFT LCD features 921k dots but lacks touchscreen functionality.

The Olympus excels in offering fast menu navigation and adjustments via touchscreen and buttons. Features like focus peaking, customizable buttons, and a live histogram visible in the EVF help professionals dial in shots quickly. Meanwhile, Pentax’s conventional DSLR layout still holds appeal for photographers who prize physical dials over menus.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality ultimately rests on the sensor, processor, and processing pipeline. Here, the two models diverge strongly:

Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds sensor trades size for portability, yielding excellent details and color fidelity in good light, thanks to the advanced TruePic VIII processor. The lack of an anti-aliasing filter enhances sharpness, especially when paired with high-resolution lenses.

Pentax’s APS-C sensor is physically larger, capturing more light and delivering a superior dynamic range of 14.1 EV versus Olympus’s 12.8 EV. Its higher base ISO of 80 and multi-step boosted ISO improves low-light flexibility, although the AA filter slightly softens fine textures.

When comparing DxOMark scores:

• Olympus E-M1 II: Overall score 80, Color depth 23.7 bits, Dynamic Range 12.8 EV
• Pentax K-5: Overall score 82, Color depth 23.7 bits, Dynamic Range 14.1 EV

This means Pentax K-5 slightly edges out Olympus on dynamic range and low-light ISO performance despite its older release date.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in the Field

Both cameras offer hybrid autofocus combining phase and contrast detection. However, their autofocus implementations differ drastically due to sensor tech and focus point numbers:

Olympus really pushes autofocus performance with its 121-point system spread widely and highly configurable. It can track fast-moving subjects accurately, excellent for wildlife and sports. The camera also provides reliable eye detection, which shines in portrait shooting scenarios.

Pentax’s 11-point system with fewer cross-type sensors is competent but slower and less precise in tracking, particularly in fast-paced contexts. Still, it retains excellent manual focus feel for deliberate shooting styles.

Articulated Screen and Viewfinder Experience

• The E-M1 II features a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) that simulates exposure results in real time, paired with a fully articulating touchscreen - great for video creators and macro shooters.
• The K-5 features a classic optical viewfinder, which many photographers prefer for its immediate, lag-free view, but lacks articulation or touch support.

The articulated touchscreen on Olympus enables creative angles and self-shot framing, which is more difficult with Pentax’s fixed LCD.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Performance

Fast continuous shooting and a generous buffer are essential for sports and wildlife photographers.

• Olympus E-M1 II boasts an exceptional 60 fps burst rate (electronic shutter) and 10 fps mechanical shooting, with a substantial buffer size supporting prolonged bursts.
• Pentax K-5 offers 7 fps, respectable for its class but far slower than Olympus.

This performance edge positions the Olympus as superior for capturing split-second action sequences.

Video Capabilities: Flexibility and Quality

For creators blending photo and video, here’s how they compare:

Olympus clearly targets multimedia users, delivering 4K video with clean compression, onboard 5-axis image stabilization, and audio monitoring through a headphone jack. Pentax video is limited to 1080p and motion JPEG, making it more an afterthought than a serious video tool.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens options impact your creative expansion:

• Olympus uses Micro Four Thirds mount, sharing a deep ecosystem of over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. The crop factor of 2.1x effectively doubles telephoto reach but affects depth of field for portrait bokeh.
• Pentax K-5 uses the Pentax KAF2 mount with 150+ lenses, including legacy glass with full compatibility. APS-C’s 1.5x crop balances reach and background separation.

Lenses for both systems range from budget to professional-grade, but Olympus’s compactness and native stabilization make it formidable for travel and handheld shooting.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance and storage can influence your shooting day:

Pentax shines in battery life with nearly triple the shot count per charge. Olympus’s dual slots provide safer storage but you will need to carry extra batteries for extended shoots.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Both cameras feature professional-grade weather sealing:

• Olympus E-M1 II: Magnesium alloy body, sealed against dust, moisture, and cold.
• Pentax K-5: Also weather sealed to similar standards with a rugged DSLR chassis.

This reliability is crucial for landscape, wildlife, and adventure photographers working in harsh conditions.

Detailed Genre-Specific Assessment

Here’s how these cameras stack up in various photography areas:

Portrait Photography

• E-M1 II: Impressive eye detection autofocus and bokeh control from fast lenses make it excellent for portraits, despite the smaller sensor. Articulated screen helps for flexible framing.
• K-5: APS-C sensor with AA filter provides a classic DSLR look and color palette with smooth skin tones but autofocus is less advanced in eye detection.

Landscape Photography

• K-5 wins thanks to larger sensor and wider dynamic range, capturing subtle tonal gradations and detail.
• E-M1 II is competent but sacrifices some DR for compactness.

Wildlife Photography

• E-M1 II’s 60 fps burst, 121 AF points, and telephoto reach (crop factor) shine here.
• K-5 offers durability and decent AF but slower shooting limits opportunities.

Sports Photography

• Burst speed and AF tracking favor Olympus.
• Pentax adequate for amateur sports but not pro fast action.

Street Photography

• Olympus smaller, lighter, quiet electronic shutter, and touchscreen favor discretion.
• Pentax bulkier and louder shutter.

Macro Photography

• Articulated LCD and image stabilization in Olympus aid macro control.
• Pentax reliable with manual focus lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

• Higher ISO range in Olympus balanced by better DR in Pentax. Both perform well with tripod and manual controls.

Video Capabilities

• Strongly in favor of Olympus with 4K, audio interface, and IS.
• Pentax limited to HD with motion JPEG compression.

Travel Photography

• Olympus pairs compact size, versatility, and dual-slot redundancy, optimal for travel vloggers.
• Pentax heavier but superior battery life.

Professional Work

• Both hold up with solid build and weather sealing.
• Olympus supports robust workflow with USB 3.0 and wireless built-in.
• Pentax lacks wireless but offers solid DSLR familiarity.

Sample Images Comparison

Analyzing side-by-side sample photos reveals distinct image characters:

• Olympus images exhibit vibrant colors, sharp details enhanced by lack of AA filter, and excellent stabilization in handheld shots.
• Pentax files possess rich dynamic range and smoother tonal gradations critical for landscapes and studio portraits.

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Pentax K 5 front Pentax K 5 screen back

Consolidated Performance Ratings

An aggregate score gives a quick performance overview:

Performance Across Photography Genres

An analytical breakdown per genre:

Price-to-Performance Analysis

While the Olympus E-M1 II came with a price tag around $1700 at launch, the older Pentax K-5 was roughly half at $800. Given the technology gap, Olympus offers excellent value for photographers prioritizing autofocus, speed, video, and portability. Pentax presents an affordable option with excellent image quality for those comfortable with DSLR ergonomics and slower operation.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

• Choose Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II if:

  • You need cutting-edge autofocus for wildlife, sports, or action
  • You shoot a lot of video, especially 4K content
  • You prefer a compact, lightweight setup with advanced touchscreen and electronic viewfinder
  • You want weather-sealed reliability and versatility for travel
  • You value dual card slots and faster data transfers

• Choose Pentax K-5 if:

  • You prioritize image quality focused on dynamic range and color depth for landscape and portrait
  • You prefer optical viewfinder feedback and traditional DSLR handling
  • You want longer battery life for extensive field work
  • You are on a tighter budget but want a weather-resistant professional-grade body
  • You enjoy Pentax’s extensive K-mount lens heritage

Getting Started and Exploring Further

No matter which camera suits your style best, both Olympus and Pentax offer unique pathways to expressive photography. Try to get hands-on experience at a local camera store or with rental services. Pair your choice with lenses tailored to your favorite genres - whether it’s fast portraits, telephoto wildlife, or wide landscapes.

Check out supportive accessories like external microphones, sturdy tripods, and protective cases to maximize your shooting potential. And dive into community forums and tutorials to share tips, troubleshoot challenges, and find inspiration.

Through hands-on testing and in-depth analysis, we find both the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and Pentax K-5 are exceptional cameras with clearly defined strengths. Your decision should hinge on your shooting preferences, budget, workflow, and creative goals.

Happy shooting! Explore boldly and create images that tell your unique story.

All images integrated reflect side-by-side comparisons, sample photos, and performance charts derived from extensive camera testing under controlled and real-world conditions.