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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Launched October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-7, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was launched 4 years later than the K-7 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 scores versus the K-7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-7

 E-M1 K-7 
IntroducedOctober 2013October 2009Fresher by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-M1

 K-7 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-7

 E-M1 K-7 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 provides exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the K-7.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and K-7 is 71 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and K-7.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-M1 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/320s)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-7 Street photography advice
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition (497g)
good ISO range (25,600)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
65
lighter than competition (497g)
environment proofing
has touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
not so great battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
64
weather sealing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery pack (350 shots)
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
lighter than competition (497 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax K-7
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-10-28 2009-10-02
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 25600 2000
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m
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, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 750 grams (1.65 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 All around rating 73 61
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 10.6
DXO Low light rating 757 536
Other
Battery life 350 images 980 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $799 $599