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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-r

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Launched February 2020
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-r, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and K-r (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was brought out 9 years after the K-r which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M1 III K-r 
IntroducedFebruary 2020March 2011Newer by 109 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-r E-M1 III 

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

 E-M1 III K-r 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size

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

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III provides outer 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-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 III versus the K-r.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and K-r is 67 and 67 respectively.

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

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

Normally, its hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The image underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and K-r.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Olympus E-M1 III will show extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-r 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-r
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography factors
Pentax K-r Travel photography factors
79
weather proof
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
47
has built in flash
low battery (470 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging factors
Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic port
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-r
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-r
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-r
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2020-02-11 2011-03-11
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 420 photographs 470 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $1,800 $1,100