Clicky

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Olympus E-M10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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 K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K10D
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M10 versus Pentax K20D, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M10 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively similar but the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-M10 was unveiled 5 years after the K20D which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M10 matches up vs the K20D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Pentax K20D

 E-M10 K20D 
ReleasedMarch 2014June 2008More modern by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Olympus E-M10

 K20D E-M10 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K20D

 E-M10 K20D 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M10 enjoys physical measurements of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M10 versus Pentax K20D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M10 vs the K20D.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 and K20D is 82 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 and K20D.

All in all, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M10 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus E-M10 will offer greater detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger E-M10 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
71
has manual focus
good MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Street photography info
Pentax K20D Street photography info
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than average in class (396 grams)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
has no phase detect auto focus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Travel photography camera
67
has focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than average in class (396 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
64
environment sealing
good MP (15MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M10
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is small (2.7")
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Vlogging features
Pentax K20D Vlogging features
33
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
heavier than average in class (396g)
9
no video recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Pentax K20D
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Pentax K20D
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Pentax K20D
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-03-18 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396g (0.87 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 65
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 11.1
DXO Low light score 884 639
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI50
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 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $600 $700