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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P2
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P1 was brought out 16 months prior to the K-5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-P1 grades against the K-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax K-5

 E-P1 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-P1

 K-5 E-P1 
RevealedDecember 2010July 2009Fresher by 16 months
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-5

 E-P1 K-5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 enjoys external dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-P1 compared to the K-5.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and K-5 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and K-5.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-P1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-5 will provide greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 Street photography details
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 Travel photography advice
43
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax K-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-07-29 2010-12-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
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, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355g (0.78 lb) 740g (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 14.1
DXO Low light rating 536 1162
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 980 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $182 $800