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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
71
Imaging
52
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-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
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax X-5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and X-5 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 was unveiled 15 months later than the X-5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-M1 scores versus the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 X-5 
ReleasedOctober 2013August 2012Fresher by 15 months
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 X-5 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax X-5

 E-M1 X-5 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 provides outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Pentax X-5 has proportions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax X-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 and the X-5.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and X-5 is 71 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The graphic here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and X-5.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-M1 features the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The newer E-M1 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography information
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
43
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Pentax X-5
77
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
Pentax X-5 Sports photography features
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography details
Pentax X-5 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competitors in class (497g)
environment sealing
provides touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
bad battery life (350 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (595 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography information
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography information
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery life (350 shots)
47
has manual focus
rather wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
26
rather wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
heavier than competition (595g)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax X-5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax X-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax X-5
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-10-28 2012-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.10 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 pounds) 595g (1.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 330 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $799 $230