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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 III was introduced 6 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax K-5 II

 E-M1 III K-5 II 
ReleasedFebruary 2020June 2013More recent by 82 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Olympus E-M1 III

 K-5 II E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-5 II

 E-M1 III K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the K-5 II.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and K-5 II is 67 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The photograph underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and K-5 II.

To sum up, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Olympus E-M1 III will give extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography info
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography details
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography advice
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
65
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
81
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-5 II
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2020-02-11 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 420 photos 980 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,800 $830