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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

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

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Released February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) posses different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was introduced 4 years later than the K-1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-M1 III scores versus the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 III K-1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020February 2016Fresher by 49 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 K-1 E-M1 III 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

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

 E-M1 III K-1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display resolution1037k1037kEqual display resolution

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

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III vs the K-1.

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

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and K-1 is 67 and 55 respectively.

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

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

Often, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and K-1.

As you can see, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will deliver extra detail using its extra 16MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
85
you can focus manually
high MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (4.4 frames per second)
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
79
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
53
environment proofing
high MP (36 megapixels)
low battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,010g)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-1
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-02-11 2016-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX -
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 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 25600 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 33
Cross type focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display 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 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 420 photos 760 photos
Type 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 shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Two Two
Retail price $1,800 $1,499