Olympus E-M5 vs Pentax MX-1

Below is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-M5 and Pentax MX-1, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-M5 was announced 14 months prior to the MX-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-M5 matches up against the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Pentax MX-1. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 enjoys physical dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M5 and Pentax MX-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 against the MX-1.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and MX-1 is 81 and 84 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 and MX-1.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 will produce extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-M5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.