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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was brought out very close to the K-5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PL1s grades against the K-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax K-5

 E-PL1s K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 K-5 E-PL1s 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-5

 E-PL1s K-5 
AnnouncedNovember 2010December 2010Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s comes with outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1s and the K-5.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and K-5 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to see the difference between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and K-5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-5 will offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 Street photography advice
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (290 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
65
weather sealing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax K-5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-11-16 2010-12-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 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
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format 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 334 grams (0.74 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
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 All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 290 photos 980 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $599 $800