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


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-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
- Introduced October 2013
- Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax X-5. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax X-5
E-M1 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2013 | ![]() | August 2012 | Fresher by 15 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax 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 |