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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 II
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Released June 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax KF
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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and K-70 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M5 was launched 5 years prior to the K-70 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-M5 scores vs the K-70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Pentax K-70

 E-M5 K-70 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Olympus E-M5

 K-70 E-M5 
ReleasedJune 2016April 2012More modern by 50 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k610kCrisper screen (+311k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-70

 E-M5 K-70 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-70 has proportions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") having a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 versus the K-70.

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and K-70 is 81 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The picture here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and K-70.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M5 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-70 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged E-M5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-70 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
80
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography features
Pentax K-70 Street photography features
82
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
71
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (102,400)
more heavy than others (688 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Sports photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
does not have phase detect AF
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography details
Pentax K-70 Travel photography details
66
weather proof
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
64
environment sealing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
bad battery pack (410 shots)
more heavy than others (688g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Landscape photography camera
73
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
does not have Timelapse function
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
Vlogging with Pentax K-70
34
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
more heavy than others (688g)
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Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-70
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Pentax K-70
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Pentax K-70
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-30 2016-06-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 102400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 610k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425g (0.94 lbs) 688g (1.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 410 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $799 $649