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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(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
Pentax K-5
(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  • Superseded the Pentax K-7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
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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.

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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.

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

 E-M1 K-5 
LaunchedOctober 2013December 2010More recent by 35 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kClearer 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
71
manual focus
high flash sync (1/320s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 Street photography features
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than average (497 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery (350 shots)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
65
lighter than average (497 grams)
weather sealing
offers touch focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
65
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
low battery (350 CIPA)
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
lighter than average (497g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax 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