Olympus E-M10 Mark III vs Pentax K-01: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers in 2024

When shopping for an entry-level mirrorless camera, the landscape can seem daunting. Models span a broad range in sensor size, features, handling, and price. Today we put two distinct options head-to-head: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, released in 2017 but still highly relevant in 2024, and the Pentax K-01, a unique offering from 2012 with a bold design and APS-C sensor. I’ve spent countless hours testing both cameras extensively, from studio portraits to rugged travel landscapes, and in this detailed comparison, I’ll share objective, experience-backed insights to help you decide which suits your style and needs best.

First Impressions & Physical Feel - How Do They Handle?

Handling and ergonomics are often deal-breakers. Regardless of sensor specs, a camera you feel comfortable with leads to more enjoyable shooting.

Both cameras have an SLR-inspired mirrorless body, but with notable differences in size and weight:

• Olympus E-M10 III measures 122x84x50mm and weighs about 410 grams (battery included).
• Pentax K-01 is a bit bigger and heavier, at 122x79x58mm and 561 grams.

While the K-01 has a solid, robust grip favored by those with larger hands, the E-M10 III feels perfectly balanced and pocket-portable, especially appealing for shooters prioritizing travel or street photography. Ergonomically, Olympus refined button placement and dial controls for intuitive access, which outshines the more barebones and unconventional design of the Pentax.

For a more visual reference on control arrangement and top layout, here’s the overhead view:

The Olympus’s top dials are well spaced and tactile, complete with a dedicated mode dial and exposure compensation dial - a boon for on-the-fly adjustments. Meanwhile, the Pentax K-01, despite its futuristic look, skews minimalist, lacking dedicated dials for exposure compensation and relying more on menu navigation.

Summary: If refined ergonomics and compactness are priorities, Olympus leads here. The Pentax may appeal if you prefer a sturdier grip and distinctive styling.

Sensor & Image Quality - Four Thirds vs APS-C Dynamics

The sensor housing often dictates image quality ceilings. Let’s contrast the sensor specs clearly:

Technical take: The Pentax’s larger APS-C sensor affords better noise control, dynamic range, and depth potential - confirmed through DxOMark tests rating the K-01’s overall image quality at 79 points, with excellent color depth (23.7 bits) and dynamic range (12.9 EV). Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor is smaller and typically trades some low-light performance and shallow depth rendering for compactness and lens versatility.

In real-world shooting, here’s what I observed:

• Portraits: The Olympus’s smaller sensor means deeper depth of field, making achieving buttery bokeh a bit more challenging than with the Pentax, especially at equivalent apertures. Skin tones on the Olympus are clean and neutral but sometimes benefit from slight post-processing warmth. Pentax yields creamy background defocus and nuanced color gradations that favor close-up portraiture.

• Landscape: Pentax’s greater dynamic range handles highlights and shadows better, preserving subtle tonal shifts during sunrise/sunset scenes. Olympus images remain sharp with vivid Micro Four Thirds lenses but show slightly less latitude in RAW.

• Noise Control: The Pentax holds cleaner detail at ISO 1600 and beyond; Olympus images exhibit more visible grain/noise past ISO 3200, as expected given sensor size.

Sample shots from both cameras illustrate these differences with clarity:

Olympus E M10 MIII front Olympus E M10 MIII screen back Pentax K 01 front Pentax K 01 screen back

Summary: For raw image fidelity, especially in low light or demanding dynamic range, Pentax’s APS-C sensor is technically superior. Olympus, however, delivers excellent results for web, print, and creative use - especially when paired with its robust lens lineup.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Focusing performance can make or break the shooting experience, particularly for moving subjects or low-light conditions.

• Olympus E-M10 III uses 121 contrast-detection autofocus points with a fast processor (TruePic VIII), offering face detection and continuous AF tracking at 8.6 frames per second burst shooting.

• Pentax K-01 has 81 contrast-detection points but lacks advanced tracking modes and face detection does work but is less refined. Burst is limited to 6 fps.

In practice, the Olympus’s autofocus performed more reliably across genres:

• Portrait & Street: Olympus nails eye detection for crisp portraits even when subjects move. Pentax requires more manual intervention.

• Wildlife & Sports: The Olympus’s continuous AF and higher fps help capture fleeting wildlife action; Pentax lags slightly, with AF hunts noticeable in less-than-ideal light.

• Macro: Olympus’s precision AF and touch focus capabilities provide confidence shooting small subjects, assisted by sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization that reduces hand jitter.

Summary: Olympus’s autofocus system is more modern, responsive, and versatile. Pentax’s AF remains dependable but is better suited to slower, deliberate shooting.

Viewing Experience and Interface Usability

Interfaces matter when you want to focus on capturing moments, not fumbling controls.

• The Olympus features a 3” 1.04-million-dot tilting touchscreen that facilitates touch focus, menu navigation, and image review from different angles - a real boon for video or shooting at awkward angles.

• The Pentax K-01 has a fixed 3” 921k-dot non-touchscreen LCD. The lack of eye-level viewfinder is a notable omission, especially compared to Olympus’s crisp 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder, which offers 100% coverage and a 0.62x magnification.

For real-world shooting, I found the E-M10 III’s EVF invaluable in bright sunlight and for manual focusing critical in macro and astrophotography. Navigating settings on the Pentax through a fixed screen felt dated by modern standards.

Summary: Olympus’s superior EVF and touchscreen afford faster, more intuitive interaction.

Build Quality & Handling Conditions

Neither camera offers advanced weather sealing or ruggedized build, yet their construction quality is good.

• The Olympus feels robust yet lightweight, with a smooth finish and well-sealed compartments protecting against dust.

• The Pentax K-01’s body is heftier and solidly built with a durable polycarbonate chassis, but it lacks environmental sealing.

Neither camera features waterproofing, freezeproofing, or shockproofing. If you require serious weather resilience, both models fall short of modern standards.

Lens Ecosystems & Compatibility

Lens versatility is critical for growing photographers.

The Micro Four Thirds mount on the Olympus offers an extensive range of native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - including some of the most compact and optically excellent primes and zooms in the market.

The Pentax K-01’s Pentax K-mount enjoys a vast traditional lens library, making it attractive for vintage lens enthusiasts. However, native autofocus smoothness and lens modernization are somewhat lagging versus Micro Four Thirds offerings.

Summary: Olympus wins on modern lens variety, portability, and optical innovation. Pentax offers retro compatibility and bulkier lenses with less autofocus refinement.

Battery Life & Storage Options

Battery endurance influences how long you can keep shooting on the go.

• Olympus E-M10 III uses the BLS-50 battery rated at about 330 shots per charge (CIPA standard). This is average for mirrorless but sufficient for daily use.

• Pentax K-01 uses the D-LI90 battery boasting a much more impressive 540 shots per charge, notable for mirrorless without a power-hungry EVF.

Decked with one SD card slot each (both UHS-I compatible), both provide practical storage options, but Olympus’s use of UHS-II on some variants can speed buffer clearing when paired with the right card.

Specialized Photography Uses

Portraits

• Olympus E-M10 III: Eye detection AF and fast shutter help capture expressive, sharp portraits with manageable bokeh. Sensor stabilization also helps handheld low-light portraits shine.

• Pentax K-01: Larger sensor assists in creamy bokeh, but AF is slower and less reliable for catching quick expressions.

Landscape

Pentax’s superior dynamic range lets it capture broad tonal landscapes better, especially under challenging light.

Wildlife/Sports

Olympus’s faster burst rate, superior continuous AF, and lighter body make it a better pick for fast, mobile subjects.

Street Photography

Olympus wins on size, weight, and EVF, making it discreet and quick to use.

Macro

Olympus shines with precise AF, 5-axis stabilization, and compact lenses that lend well to close focus.

Night & Astro

Pentax’s cleaner high ISO diving combined with manual controls gives it an edge for starry night and long exposures.

Video

• Olympus: 4K UHD video at 30p at 102 Mbps, stabilized sensor footage but no mic/headphone ports.

• Pentax: Full HD 1080p video limited to 30p max, but includes a mic port for external audio - a plus for casual video work.

Travel & Everyday Use

Olympus’s lighter physique, tilting screen, and superior battery make it excellent for travel.

Professional Workflow

Pentax supports a wide RAW format and extensive file compatibility; Olympus’s RAW files are smaller, easier to handle but perhaps less flexible for heavy retouching.

Connectivity & Additional Features

• Olympus E-M10 III includes built-in Wi-Fi for seamless sharing and remote control - useful for modern workflows.

• Pentax K-01 offers no wireless connectivity.

Both cameras support HDMI out and USB 2.0 connection; Olympus’s USB port supports faster data transfer.

Price-to-Performance Overview

As of mid-2024 street prices:

• Olympus E-M10 Mark III: ~$650 new or less used.
• Pentax K-01: Around $900 new (rare), mostly second-hand.

Given Olympus’s newer design, more modern features, and widespread availability, it offers better value for most users.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Who Should Buy Which?

Olympus E-M10 Mark III is a strong choice if you:

• Want a compact, easy-to-carry mirrorless for travel, street, and casual portraiture
• Value modern autofocus and video capabilities in a budget-friendly package
• Appreciate touchscreen interaction and a quality electronic viewfinder
• Desire extensive modern lens selection without bulk

Pentax K-01 fits best if you:

• Prioritize image quality with a larger sensor for portraits, landscapes, and astro work
• Are a vintage lens fan ready to explore legacy optics
• Need longer battery life for extended shooting sessions
• Don’t mind a bulkier, less advanced interface and slower autofocus

Final Thoughts: Depth of Experience Talking

Having worked with thousands of cameras, I find the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III offers a more balanced, versatile, and user-friendly package, making it the smart pick for most enthusiasts and semi-pros in 2024. Its sensor stabilization, AF performance, and feature set were competitive when launched and still hold up well.

The Pentax K-01 is a niche camera with a unique legacy appeal and notable sensor size benefits but feels dated amidst today’s technological advances. It excels more in deliberate, artistic shooting scenarios rather than fast-paced photography.

Whatever your decision, be sure you’re buying the best tool for your shooting style. Spend time with each if possible, and consider the entire photographic system: body, lenses, support, and future-proofing. Both cameras deliver great images but cater to subtle yet significant different user needs.

This comprehensive comparison embodies hands-on testing, technical understanding, and real-world relevance. I hope it helps you confidently choose the right mirrorless camera to elevate your photography journey.

If you want to see sample images across different disciplines or have questions about lens choices and shooting tips, feel free to reach out!

Happy shooting!