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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M10 II
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M10 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M10 was announced 3 years after the K-5 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-M10 grades versus the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Pentax K-5

 E-M10 K-5 
ReleasedMarch 2014December 2010More modern by 40 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-M10

 K-5 E-M10 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-5

 E-M10 K-5 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M10 offers external dimensions of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M10 vs the K-5.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 and K-5 is 82 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out specifications. The picture here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M10 and K-5.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-M10 has the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow depth of field trickier. The fresher E-M10 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
71
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
73
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (396 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M10
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M10
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
67
has focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
more heavy than others in class (396g)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M10
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M10
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
33
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than others in class (396g)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Pentax K-5
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Pentax K-5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-03-18 2010-12-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.80 m (ISO100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396 grams (0.87 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 14.1
DXO Low light score 884 1162
Other
Battery life 320 shots 980 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $600 $800