Clicky

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-r

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-r 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M5
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 III
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-r Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-r, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and K-r (12MP) and the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-M5 II was brought out 3 years later than the K-r and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-M5 II matches up vs the K-r for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

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

 E-M5 II K-r 
RevealedFebruary 2015March 2011More recent by 48 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-r E-M5 II 

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

 E-M5 II K-r 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

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

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 II features exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-r in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M5 II against the K-r.

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

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 II and K-r is 80 and 67 respectively.

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

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

Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 II and K-r.

To sum up, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 II because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-M5 II will deliver extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 II provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

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

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

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography advice
Pentax K-r Street photography advice
82
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography details
Pentax K-r Sports photography details
65
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
bad battery life (310 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
74
environment proofing
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (310 CIPA)
47
built-in flash
terrible battery life (470 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery life (310 CIPA)
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging factors
Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Pentax K-r
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPentax K-r
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Pentax K-r
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2015-02-06 2011-03-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Prime II
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 81 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469 grams (1.03 lbs) 598 grams (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 12.4
DXO Low light score 896 755
Other
Battery life 310 images 470 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $699 $1,100