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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 II
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-M5 versus Pentax K-5 II, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty similar but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M5 was launched 13 months earlier than the K-5 II which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-M5 grades against the K-5 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M5 K-5 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-5 II E-M5 
LaunchedJune 2013April 2012Fresher by 13 months
Screen resolution921k610kCrisper screen (+311k dot)

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

 E-M5 K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 comes with physical measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 versus Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M5 against the K-5 II.

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and K-5 II is 81 and 60 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and K-5 II.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M5 has the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field more difficult. The older E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
74
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
82
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lacks phase detect auto focus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography info
66
environment sealing
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no Time Lapse mode
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging info
34
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Pentax K-5 II
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-04-30 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 610 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 425g (0.94 lb) 760g (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 82
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 826 1235
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 980 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $799 $830