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Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M5
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-S1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty close but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-M5 II was brought out 6 months after the K-S1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M5 II grades vs the K-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Pentax K-S1

 E-M5 II K-S1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 K-S1 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-S1

 E-M5 II K-S1 
LaunchedFebruary 2015August 2014Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 II features external dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") along with a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 II and the K-S1.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 II and K-S1 is 80 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 II and K-S1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 II because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will result in extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
77
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
82
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (558 grams)
above average high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography information
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
not so great battery life (310 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
74
environment proofing
offers focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (310 shots)
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography highlights
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
not so great battery life (310 shots)
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging advice
82
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPentax K-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Pentax K-S1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-06 2014-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Prime MII
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 469 grams (1.03 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 896 1061
Other
Battery life 310 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $699 $339