Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-5

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL3 was brought out 10 months later than the K-5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PL3 grades against the K-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Pentax K-5. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the K-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and K-5 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by going through specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and K-5.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will produce more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.