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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

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

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Released October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 was launched 5 months after the K-5 II so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-M1 matches up versus the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M1 K-5 II 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 K-5 II E-M1 

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

 E-M1 K-5 II 
LaunchedOctober 2013June 2013Same generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

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

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 has got physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-5 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 and the K-5 II.

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

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

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

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

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and K-5 II.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 has the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/320s)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
78
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition (497g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (350 per charge)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition (497g)
weather proofing
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery (350 per charge)
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging information
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
lighter than competition (497g)
display isn't selfie friendly
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax K-5 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-10-28 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 81 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display 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
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/320 secs -
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 grams (1.10 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Physical 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 All around rating 73 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 14.1
DXO Low light rating 757 1235
Other
Battery life 350 images 980 images
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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $799 $830