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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1X was released 8 years later than the K-5 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-M1X scores against the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Pentax K-5

 E-M1X K-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2019December 2010More recent by 99 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-M1X

 K-5 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-5

 E-M1X K-5 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X features outside dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1X against the K-5.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and K-5 is 54 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to see the difference in sensor measurements only by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and K-5.

Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1X due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus E-M1X will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer E-M1X will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
73
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
67
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than average in class (997 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery (870 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
68
great battery (870 per charge)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (997g)
65
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great battery (870 shots)
two card slots
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (997g)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XPentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Pentax K-5
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2019-01-24 2010-12-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 gr (2.20 lb) 740 gr (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 870 photographs 980 photographs
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Launch cost $2,999 $800