Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Launched October 2013
- Later Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched December 2010
- Superseded the Pentax K-7
- Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

The E-M1 was brought out 2 years later than the K-5 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-M1 scores vs the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Pentax K-5. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-5
E-M1 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | December 2010 | More recent by 35 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+116k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-M1
K-5 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-5
E-M1 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outside dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 against the K-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and K-5 is 71 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and K-5.
All in all, both cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M1 comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier. The fresher E-M1 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-5 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2013-10-28 | 2010-12-18 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePIC VII | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/320 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 lbs) | 740 grams (1.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 73 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 757 | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 980 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $799 | $800 |