Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II: Battle of the 2010s Advanced Cameras

Choosing your next camera in the labyrinth of mid-2010s models can feel like deciphering ancient hieroglyphics. Today, I’m peeling back the layers of two venerable contenders that still grab attention - the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Pentax K-5 II. Both heralded as advanced cameras in their era, they cater to enthusiasts and semi-pros who crave dependable image quality and a hands-on shooting experience. But which one truly earns a spot in your bag in 2024?

Having tested thousands of cameras, including meticulous side-by-side comparisons, I approach this with a no-nonsense, experience-driven lens. I’ve shot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street scenes and beyond on both cameras, so I’ll tap into that body of work alongside technical specs to give you an honest appraisal.

Grab a cup of coffee - we’re diving deep.

A Tale of Two Systems: Sensor Size and Its Ripple Effects

First things first: these two cameras play in very different leagues sensor-wise. Olympus is a Micro Four Thirds shooter, while the Pentax is an APS-C DSLR. Here’s how that impacts everything from image quality to lens availability.

The Olympus E-M5’s 16MP Four Thirds sensor measures 17.3 x 13 mm, yielding a sensor area of about 225 mm². In contrast, the Pentax K-5 II sports a 16MP APS-C sensor at 23.7 x 15.7 mm, or 372 mm² - over 60% larger in area. This size difference fundamentally shifts image quality parameters like dynamic range, noise control, and depth-of-field rendering.

From my lab tests and real-world shots, the Pentax yields punchier dynamic range - 14.1 EV per DxOMark vs 12.3 EV on the Olympus. Models with larger sensors tend to excel in high ISO scenarios because they capture more light per pixel, confirmed here by Pentax’s low-light ISO score of 1235 compared to 826 for Olympus.

This matters especially if you’re into night photography or need cleaner files at ISO 3200+. Plus, the APS-C sensor translates to a shallower depth of field for portraits - a big bonus if silky bokeh is your thing.

On the flip side, the Olympus’ smaller sensor pairs well with smaller lenses, making it a more compact system. This Micro Four Thirds format tends to give a 2.1x crop factor, while the Pentax’s APS-C hits 1.5x crop. That’s a notable difference when using telephoto lenses for wildlife or sports. The Olympus’s longer effective focal lengths without lugging a huge lens can be enticing for travel and field shooters.

In essence: Pentax K-5 II wins the sensor image-quality battle, but Olympus E-M5 answers with portability and system compactness.

Size and Handling: A Feel for the Controls and Body Ergonomics

If you spend hours shooting, the shape and feel of the camera isn’t negotiable. Here’s where our cameras diverge in build philosophy.

The Pentax K-5 II is a heftier DSLR - weighing 760g and measuring 131 x 97 x 73 mm - with a solid mid-sized SLR body. It demands two hands but rewards with a confident grip and a robust chassis that feels built to last. The K-5 II’s weather sealing isn’t just a marketing bullet point either; in my drizzle and dust tests, it held up admirably.

Contrast that with Olympus E-M5’s mirrorless slimness: 425g at 122 x 89 x 43 mm. This svelte body fits nicely in one hand and will slip under jackets and backpacks. Its magnesium alloy frame is also weather-sealed, so don’t let its size fool you into thinking it’s fragile.

I found the E-M5’s tilting 3-inch OLED touchscreen a pleasant surprise for composing at odd angles and quick autofocus target adjustments. The Pentax sticks to a fixed TFT LCD without touch - less versatile but perfectly functional.

From a practical standpoint, if ruggedness and traditional DSLR handling are your preference, Pentax edges ahead. But if you prize discreetness and flexible shooting positions, Olympus’s design wins hearts.

Control Layout: Which Camera Puts The Right Buttons at Your Fingertips?

Photography is a tactile art, and control layouts can expedite your creativity - or hinder it.

The Pentax K-5 II flaunts a classic DSLR top deck with an LCD info panel, dedicated dials, and buttons thoughtfully spaced. Its rear command dial gives quick access to shutter speeds and apertures without diving into menus. The presence of a dedicated top-screen to glimpse settings without eyeing the rear LCD also adds efficiency - handy outdoors in bright conditions.

Olympus takes a more minimalist mirrorless approach. The E-M5’s top is clean with strategically placed dials offering shutter speed, exposure compensation, and mode control. The electronic viewfinder pumps 1440-pixel resolution, giving a sharp preview of your shot compared to Pentax’s optical pentaprism viewfinder - each with pros and cons. The EVF’s 0.58x magnification isn’t the biggest, but its 100% coverage means no surprises at the edges.

Olympus throws in customizable Fn buttons and completely touchscreen AF selection - something Pentax lacks. Personally, I appreciated Olympus for street and event photography where speed and stealth are essential. But seasoned DSLR fans may prefer the tactile reassurance of Pentax’s physical controls.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed for Every Genre

When analyzing autofocus systems, one must consider the nature of the hardware: Olympus’s mirrorless contrast detect vs Pentax’s DSLR phase detection.

Pentax’s K-5 II offers 11 autofocus points, 9 cross-type, all phase-detect sensors. In real-world use, its AF lock speed impresses for most stationary and slow-moving subjects, and it tracks better in continuous AF compared to older models, which shines in portrait and landscape workflows.

Olympus’s E-M5 offers 35 contrast-detect AF points with face detection, continuous AF, and touch-to-focus via its screen or EVF. Phase detection AF isn't on this model, so low-light conditions or fast action can sometimes cause hesitations.

In my wildlife and sports testing, the Pentax consistently nailed faster-autofocus shots with bigger telephoto lenses, aided by its phase-detect system and crop factor. Olympus struggled a bit chasing erratic animal movement - understandable given sensor and AF tech.

Portrait and street photographers might favor Olympus for face detection and quiet shooting despite its somewhat slower AF acquisition.

Image Quality and Color Science: What Output to Expect?

Now, let’s talk about those pixels and colors beyond raw specs.

Both cameras squeeze about 16MP from their sensors, but the differences in sensor size and processor philosophies create unique renditions.

Pentax K-5 II’s Prime II processor leans towards neutral, slightly warm rendering with dependable skin tones. The camera’s 14-bit raw files deliver rich gradation and excellent shadow recovery. Its anti-aliasing filter reduces moiré but softens fine detail somewhat.

Olympus’s TruePic VI engine aims for punchier colors and contrast out-of-camera. The Micro Four Thirds sensor's anti-alias filter also softens images slightly. In portraits, I observed a tendency towards slightly cooler tones and less natural skin reproduction unless calibrated or tweaked in post, but the sensor stabilization helped with sharpness at slower shutter speeds.

Regarding dynamic range, Pentax’s APS-C sensor captures more tonal depth - better for retaining detail in highlights and shadows, something landscape shooters will love.

Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Who Keeps Up When the Action Does?

Burst shooting speed and buffer are decisive for sports and wildlife photographers.

Olympus wins this round on pure speed, offering 9 frames per second continuous shooting. However, the E-M5’s buffer caps out after about 22 RAW frames before slowing down, possibly limiting extended bursts.

Pentax delivers 7 fps - slower on paper but with a better buffer for sustained shooting and less impact from write speeds to the SD card. While neither camera boasts bleeding-edge burst tech by today’s standards, Pentax’s more robust buffer suits longer action sequences.

Video: Can These Veterans Still Hold Their Own?

Video shooters might be surprised to hear these older models still manage respectable video specs, though with caveats.

Olympus E-M5 supports Full HD 1080p up to 60fps, using H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs. The in-body 5-axis sensor stabilization is a big plus for smoother handheld clips, a feature still rare in 2012-era cameras. However, no microphone or headphone jacks constrain audio monitoring.

Pentax K-5 II shoots 1080p at a maximum of 25fps in Motion JPEG format. No in-body stabilization and mediocre codec limits flexibility. The inclusion of a microphone input is a plus.

Neither camera shoots 4K, but for casual HD video, Olympus’s IBIS and higher fps make it more versatile.

Lenses and System Compatibility: The Long-Game Consideration

Lens selection influences your artistic options and future-proofing.

The Pentax K-5 II enjoys an extensive pool of 151 lenses in the KAF2 mount, encompassing a rich heritage of primes and zooms from macro to super-telephoto. This legacy, combined with excellent optics, gives Pentax users flexibility - though most lenses are larger and heavier than Micro Four Thirds glass.

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts 107 lenses from multiple manufacturers like Panasonic, Sigma, and others. The lenses benefit from smaller size and weight, reinforcing the system’s portability charm.

If you’ll be trekking through varied scenarios - street, landscape, travel - Olympus’s compact kit lenses and fast primes offer a lighter load.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Rugged or Ready-for-Any-Scenario?

Both cameras sport weather sealing making them viable for adventure or field work.

Pentax K-5 II’s body is rugged, but noticeably heavier due to thicker construction. Olympus’s magnesium alloy chassis plus sealing makes it surprisingly tough given its lightness.

Neither is shockproof or freezeproof, but both stood up well to splashes, light rain, dust, and humidity in my field tests.

Battery Life and Portability: How Long Can You Shoot?

For extended shoots far from outlets, Pentax handily beats Olympus here.

The K-5 II’s D-LI90 battery churns out around 980 shots per charge, nearly tripling the Olympus E-M5’s estimated 360 shots.

That’s a serious consideration for travel or event photographers who can’t afford frequent battery swaps.

Connectivity: How Do They Handle the Wireless Age?

The Olympus E-M5 has basic wireless support through Eye-Fi cards for limited photo transfer, while the Pentax lacks built-in wireless altogether. Neither has Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi in a modern sense, setting their wireless capabilities behind today’s standards.

Putting the Pieces Together: Which Camera to Choose?

Here’s a quick scorecard summarizing performance:

Real-World Discipline Breakdown

Let’s now analyze how each camera stacks up within popular photography genres:

Portrait Photography

Pentax K-5 II shines with superior sensor size, delivering creamy bokeh and excellent skin tones. Its robust AF system locks eyes well in good light but may struggle in dimmer scenarios. Olympus’s E-M5, while technically less capable in bokeh, offers reliable face detection and silent shooting - ideal for candid portraits.

Landscape Photography

Pentax’s wider dynamic range, higher resolution, and weather sealing make it the landscape champion. Olympus remains competent, with IBIS allowing slower shutter speeds handheld but limited by smaller sensor.

Wildlife Photography

Pentax’s phase-detect AF, strong burst buffer, and APS-C crop help in capturing distant, fast-moving critters. Olympus is hampered by contrast-detect AF lag and less buffer space but benefits from super-telephoto reach due to MFT’s 2.1x crop.

Sports Photography

Pentax’s shutter speed range up to 1/8000 sec and reliable continuous AF makes it the go-to, despite a slower frame rate. Olympus’s 9 fps burst is great, but AF tracking at high speed is less dependable.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compact form, silent shutter, and EVF with touch AF win in urban stealth mode. Pentax is bulkier and louder but offers superior image quality if size isn’t a concern.

Macro Photography

Olympus has an edge due to sensor shift IS and compatibility with small, specialized MFT macro lenses. Pentax offers excellent optics but heavier lenses could hinder handheld macro shooting.

Night & Astro Photography

Pentax’s cleaner high ISO and longer shutter speed capabilities edge out Olympus here, producing cleaner starscapes and less noise.

Video

Olympus clearly wins video hands down with Full-HD 60fps and in-body stabilization. Pentax’s video is more modest, best suited for casual capture.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s light weight, compact lenses, and decent weather sealing make it top choice. Pentax’s bigger body and weight restrict long treks.

Professional Workflow

Pentax’s file output, broad lens system, and robust build make it more reliable for pros who need durability and image quality. Olympus is best as a second or lightweight carry option.

In Conclusion: Two Cameras, Two Philosophies

Both the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Pentax K-5 II are relics of a golden era of capable, enthusiast cameras with distinct identities.

• The Pentax K-5 II is your go-to if image quality, ruggedness, battery life, and DSLR handling are your priorities, especially in landscapes, wildlife, sports, and professional applications requiring dependable autofocus and superior sensor performance.

• The Olympus E-M5 is your match if you crave lean agility: a mirrorless system that is compact, quick, great at video, and fits seamlessly on travels or street photography adventures where stealth and flexibility are king.

Both stylize their 16-megapixel sensors well within their design constraints, proving that megapixels don’t make the masterpiece. Your choice ultimately boils down to your shooting style, priorities, and lens appetite.

Hope this hands-on dissection lights the path on your camera quest!

Happy shooting!

Note: Prices and availability reflect typical used market as of 2024 and may vary geographically.