Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Announced October 2013
- Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Released April 2014
- Successor is Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

The E-M1 was released 5 months prior to the K-3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the E-M1 matches up against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax K-3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-3
E-M1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-M1
K-3 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-3
E-M1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2013 | ![]() | April 2014 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 1037k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 comes with outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 and the K-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and K-3 is 71 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and K-3.
All in all, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-3 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-3 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-10 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePIC VII | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Flash Auto, 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, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/320 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 497g (1.10 lbs) | 800g (1.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 73 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 560 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | Two |
Launch pricing | $799 | $639 |