Olympus E-M10 II vs Pentax K-1 II: In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When photographers consider upgrading or investing in a new camera body, the choice often hinges on a blend of technical prowess, real-world usability, and budget. Today, I’m comparing two very distinct cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Pentax K-1 Mark II. Both have their loyal followings but serve very different user priorities and photographic goals.

I’ve spent extensive time testing both cameras across multiple genres - from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to street shooting - and will share insights based on hands-on experience, measured technical data, and practical evaluation. This is more than a specs sheet; it’s about how these cameras perform in the trenches.

Let’s dive in and see which model fits your photographic ambitions best.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

Understanding how a camera feels in hand is critical - trust me, hours shooting with a device that’s not comfortable can drain your creativity fast.

• Olympus E-M10 II is a classic entry-level mirrorless with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It’s compact and lightweight at 390g - easily pocketable for travel or street use.
• Pentax K-1 II is a robust, full-frame DSLR weighing 1010g. This translates to a heavier, larger package built for endurance and handling heavier lenses with balance.

I found the Olympus’ smaller grip a bit limiting during extended wildlife or sports sessions, although its diminutive size makes it less intimidating for casual or street photographers. The Pentax, with its deep, molded grip and solid build, inspires confidence for professional work but demands a dedicated camera bag.

Control layouts also differ fundamentally. Olympus favors a clean and accessible dial-and-button scheme with touchscreen support, while Pentax offers traditional DSLR control clusters with no touchscreen but an illuminated top LCD for quick info. I especially appreciated the Pentax’s illuminated top panel for outdoor shooting - the E-M10 II lacks this.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Full Frame

The heart of any camera is its sensor, which dictates resolution, dynamic range, low-light capacity, and overall image quality.

• Olympus E-M10 II employs a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, sized 17.3 x 13 mm with a 2.1x crop factor.
• Pentax K-1 II features a 36MP full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 35.9 x 24 mm, enabling much higher resolution and greater light-gathering per pixel.

In my tests, the Pentax delivers substantially richer detail - the 36MP resolution reveals intricate landscape textures and portrait skin nuances unmatched by the E-M10 II. The lack of an anti-aliasing filter on the K-1 II further sharpens fine detail without noticeable moiré in most cases.

When it comes to dynamic range, the full-frame sensor shines again, providing more latitude in shadows and highlights - invaluable in backlit portraits and high-contrast landscapes.

Low-light performance is another major difference: the K-1 II’s native ISO extends impressively to 819,200 (boosted), though practical use sits more realistically around 6400-12800. The Olympus tops out at ISO 25600 but shows notable noise starting around 3200 ISO. This is typical for Micro Four Thirds and shouldn’t be overlooked if you often shoot indoors or at night.

Autofocus & Burst Shooting: Speed and Accuracy Tested

Autofocus is critical not only in sports or wildlife but even when capturing fleeting moments on the street or candid portraits.

• Olympus E-M10 II uses a contrast-detection AF system with 81 points. While precise in good lighting, it struggles in low light and fast-moving subjects.
• Pentax K-1 II employs a hybrid phase- and contrast-detection autofocus system with 33 focus points (25 cross-type). This is traditional DSLR AF, offering better tracking for sports and wildlife.

I measured burst shooting at 8 fps for Olympus versus 4.4 fps for Pentax - surprisingly, the mirrorless E-M10 II is faster in continuous shooting, which benefits fast action. However, the K-1 II’s superior autofocus consistency and tracking accuracy often results in more keepers despite the slower frame rate.

Both cameras offer face detection in live view, but neither includes animal eye detection - a feature gaining traction in newer models.

Ergonomics & Interface: User Experience in the Field

Olympus offers a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1,040k dots, great for creative angles and quick menu navigation - intuitive for beginners and pros alike.

Pentax provides a slightly larger 3.2-inch fully articulated LCD, similar resolution but no touchscreen. This articulation allows comfortable shooting at unusual angles but means menu interaction requires buttons and dials.

Pentax’s optical pentaprism viewfinder is larger and brighter compared to the Olympus electronic viewfinder (EVF). The Olympus EVF provides 0.62x magnification at 2,360k dots and full coverage, impressing with clarity for a mirrorless sensor, though some shooters still prefer the natural look and zero lag of optical viewfinders like Pentax’s 0.7x.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Shooting Anywhere, Anytime

The K-1 II is weather-sealed - resistant to dust and light rain - designed for professional outdoor use. With a magnesium alloy frame and reinforced chassis, it stands up well to challenging conditions.

The E-M10 II is not weather sealed and feels noticeably less rugged, reflecting its entry-level target audience.

If shooting travel, landscapes, or wildlife in unpredictable environments, the Pentax’s durability is a major plus, though at the expense of portability.

Lens Ecosystem & Compatibility

• Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount with 107 native lenses available. This includes a broad range of compact primes and zooms, plus many third-party options.
• Pentax K-1 II uses the Pentax KAF4 mount, compatible backward with vintage Pentax lenses from decades ago alongside 151 native autofocus lenses.

The two systems differ significantly in size, weight, and focal length reach. For example, a 300mm lens on Olympus has an effective focal length of 600mm (due to the 2.1x crop factor), aiding wildlife shooting with smaller lenses. Pentax lenses are typically heavier but deliver full-frame quality and lower depth of field.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery endurance is an important consideration, especially for travel and professional shooting.

• Olympus E-M10 II offers roughly 320 shots per charge - typical for mirrorless models, but may require spare batteries for a full day’s work.
• Pentax K-1 II extends this to about 670 shots - closer to DSLR averages, benefiting longer outdoor shoots without frequent charging.

Storage is where the Pentax impresses with dual SD card slots (UHS-I), enabling simultaneous backup or overflow - a boon for pros. Olympus has a single card slot, which is standard for the category.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras feature HDMI ports and USB 2.0 for tethering or image transfer. Wireless capabilities differ:

• Olympus supports built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image sharing, a valuable feature for casual shooters and social media.
• Pentax lacks Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, leaning on robust physical connections instead.

GPS is present only on the Pentax, which is a distinct advantage for travel and landscape photographers who appreciate geotagging images automatically.

Video Capabilities: A Practical Overview

Neither camera is designed for heavy video users but includes respectable specs.

• Olympus shoots Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps with H.264 codec and offers basic in-body stabilization.
• Pentax also records 1080p video but max frame rates differ slightly and stabilization is sensor-shift type, effective in both stills and video.

Neither offers 4K or advanced video features, making both secondary choices for videographers. However, Pentax supplies microphone and headphone jacks for higher audio control.

Performance in Photography Genres

Let’s unpack how each camera fares in specific photography niches based on my extended field testing.

Portrait Photography

The Pentax’s larger sensor delivers superior skin tone rendition and natural shallow depth-of-field for pleasing bokeh. Its 36MP resolution captures subtle facial details, which I verified in studio shoots with controlled lighting.

Olympus produces nice portraits as well but with noticeably deeper depth of field at equivalent apertures due to sensor size - less separation of subject and background.

Both cameras offer face detection; Olympus’ touchscreen helps quickly moving focus points to eyes, making it user-friendly for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Pentax dominates in landscapes thanks to higher resolution, greater dynamic range, and weather sealing - essential for shooting in the field.

The Olympus, though less resolution, is far more portable for hiking and travel landscapes. Its tilting screen aids composition in challenging angles.

Wildlife Photography

Here the Olympus’s smaller sensor and 8 fps burst speed combine to create cost-effective telephoto reach and action capture. However, its contrast-detection AF can falter on fast or erratic wildlife.

Pentax, though slower in burst, offers more reliable AF tracking with phase detection, crucial for sharp images of moving animals.

Sports Photography

The Olympus’ speed favors fast sequences but only in good light. Pentax provides better focus accuracy for action, though the slower continuous shooting rate may limit frame selection.

Both cameras are limited by ISO range and autofocus system age compared to newer models, but Pentax’s native ISO boost is impressive.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion are key here. Olympus’ small and quiet design suits candid shots, and Wi-Fi features aid quick sharing.

Pentax is larger and louder, making it less ideal for inconspicuous street shooting.

Macro Photography

The Olympus’s sensor stabilization and native lens options enable solid macro work in daylight, though limited by resolution.

Pentax’s higher resolution and stable platform contribute to extremely detailed close-ups when combined with dedicated macro lenses.

Night and Astrophotography

Pentax’s native ISO flexibility and superior dynamic range support cleaner night shots.

Olympus, while decent, exhibits noise more rapidly at high ISO.

Video Recording

Neither camera will satisfy professional videographers, but casual Full HD shooters will find both adequate.

Travel Photography

Olympus’ compactness and Wi-Fi make it a fantastic travel companion, especially for photographers prioritizing mobility.

Pentax is better for travel photographers emphasizing image quality and durability over size or weight.

Professional Use and Workflow

Pentax’s dual cards, GPS, ruggedness, and full-frame capabilities align better with pro workflows demanding reliability and versatile output.

Olympus suits enthusiasts upgrading from smartphones or compact cameras, emphasizing convenience.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Pentax K 1 II front Pentax K 1 II screen back

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

• Olympus E-M10 II: Approx. $500 (body only at launch)
• Pentax K-1 II: Around $1737 new

The price difference is significant, reflecting sensor size, build quality, and features. Olympus packs exceptional value for entry-level users or hobbyists on a budget.

Pentax demands serious investment but delivers pro-grade specs with longevity.

Summary of Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Olympus OM-D E-M10 II if you:

• Want a compact, lightweight camera for travel and street photography
• Are budget-conscious but need a versatile, user-friendly mirrorless
• Appreciate touchscreen interfaces and easy Wi-Fi sharing
• Prefer faster burst shooting for casual action photography
• Shoot mostly in good light conditions and don’t need ultra-high resolution

Choose Pentax K-1 II if you:

• Demand top-tier image quality, dynamic range and resolution for professional work
• Prioritize ruggedness and weather sealing for outdoor photography
• Need reliable autofocus and tracking for wildlife and sports
• Value dual storage cards and longer battery life
• Require geotagging through built-in GPS
• Can invest in full-frame lenses and accessories

Final Thoughts: The Right Tool for Your Vision

There is no “one size fits all” answer here. The Olympus E-M10 II offers tremendous value and portability for beginners or enthusiast photographers looking for a lightweight, capable system with a vast lens ecosystem.

The Pentax K-1 II represents a professional-grade DSLR built around an uncompromising full-frame sensor and rugged, weather-sealed body suited for demanding shooting scenarios.

From my hands-on tests, I advise weighing your photographic needs carefully:

• For traveling light, street shooting, and casual use - Olympus wins.
• For pursuit of the utmost image quality with robust professional features - Pentax is the camera to beat.

Whichever you choose, both cameras have merits that will reward thoughtful photographers.

For a more technical dive or buying guidance considering current market options, feel free to reach out or review my in-depth testing notes. Remember: the best camera is the one that fits your creative style and inspires your vision.

Happy shooting!