Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs
86 Imaging
48 Features
60 Overall
52
![Olympus PEN E-P3 front Olympus PEN E-P3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-P3/Olympus-E-P3-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-5 IIs front Pentax K-5 IIs front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-5-IIs/Pentax-K-5-IIs-front.jpg)
60 Imaging
58 Features
83 Overall
68
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
- Updated by Olympus E-P5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed June 2013
- Previous Model is Pentax K-5
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The E-P3 was revealed 21 months earlier than the K-5 IIs which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-P3 grades vs the K-5 IIs with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P3 and Pentax K-5 IIs. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-P3 Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
E-P3 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Olympus E-P3
K-5 IIs | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 21 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 614k | Crisper screen (+307k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-5 IIs
E-P3 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P3 provides external dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-P3 vs the K-5 IIs.
![Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P3-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and K-5 IIs is 86 and 60 respectively.
![Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P3-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The image here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and K-5 IIs.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-5 IIs will offer greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-P3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P3-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P3-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P3 | Pentax K-5 IIs | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus PEN E-P3 | Pentax K-5 IIs |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-08-17 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
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 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 614k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 369 grams (0.81 lbs) | 760 grams (1.68 lbs) |
Dimensions | 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 51 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.8 | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 536 | 1208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 980 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $0 | $749 |