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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 119 x 82 x 46mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus E-M10 II
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the E-M10 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The E-M10 was revealed very close to the K-3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-M10 matches up against the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Pentax K-3

 E-M10 K-3 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-M10

 K-3 E-M10 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-3

 E-M10 K-3 
AnnouncedMarch 2014April 2014Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution1037k1037kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M10 features outer measurements of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") having a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M10 versus the K-3.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 and K-3 is 82 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 and K-3.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M10 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will show greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M10
Street photography with Pentax K-3
77
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competition (396 grams)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery power (560 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
67
includes touch to focus
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
heavier than competition (396 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
bad battery power (560 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M10
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery power (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
33
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (396g)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M10 Pentax K-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-03-18 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (ISO100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1(FULL)~1/64) Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 396 gr (0.87 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 13.4
DXO Low light rating 884 1216
Other
Battery life 320 images 560 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 sec., 2 sec.,custom (Waiting time 1-30sec.,Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec.,Number of shots 1-10)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Two
Launch price $600 $639