Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50
81 Imaging
51 Features
70 Overall
58
63 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Replacement is Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched November 2013
- Succeeded the Pentax K-30
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Following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-M5 was unveiled 19 months before the K-50 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-M5 scores versus the K-50 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Pentax K-50. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Pentax K-50
| E-M5 | K-50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-M5
| K-50 | E-M5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | November 2013 | April 2012 | More modern by 19 months | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 610k | Crisper screen (+311k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-50
| E-M5 | K-50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More precise focus | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen |
Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 comes with exterior dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 compared to the K-50.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and K-50 is 81 and 63 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The pic underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and K-50.
All in all, the two cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-M5 includes the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field more difficult. The more aged E-M5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Pentax K-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Pentax K-50 |
| Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2012-04-30 | 2013-11-27 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VI | PRIME M |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| 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 | 51600 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 610 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dots | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 9.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | 425 gr (0.94 lb) | 650 gr (1.43 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 71 | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | 826 | 1120 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 pictures | 410 pictures |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLN-1 | D-LI109 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at launch | $799 | $610 |