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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push 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
  • Announced June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was launched 4 years prior to the K-5 IIs which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-PL1 grades against the K-5 IIs in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 E-PL1 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-5 IIs E-PL1 
AnnouncedJune 2013May 2010Newer by 37 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 E-PL1 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 has got physical dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the K-5 IIs.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and K-5 IIs is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and K-5 IIs.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 IIs will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography advice
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (290 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proof
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography details
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-05-17 2013-06-04
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 14.1
DXO Low light rating 487 1208
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 980 pictures
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $288 $749