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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(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
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Introduced October 2019
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Refreshed by OM System OM-5
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The E-M5 III was released 6 years after the K-5 IIs which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-M5 III matches up vs the K-5 IIs for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 E-M5 III K-5 IIs 
AnnouncedOctober 2019June 2013More modern by 78 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Olympus E-M5 III

 K-5 IIs E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-5 IIs

 E-M5 III K-5 IIs 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III offers outer dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-M5 III vs the K-5 IIs.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and K-5 IIs is 80 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and K-5 IIs.

To sum up, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 III featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M5 III will render extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 III provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography factors
77
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography details
83
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low battery (310 CIPA)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography information
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery (310 CIPA)
65
weather proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery (310 shots)
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
delivers RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging features
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging features
84
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2019-10-17 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Prime II
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, 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 None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 980 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $1,199 $749