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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2012
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Pentax K-1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) feature different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL5 was released 4 years earlier than the K-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL5 matches up against the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Pentax K-1

 E-PL5 K-1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-PL5

 K-1 E-PL5 
ReleasedFebruary 2016September 2012Fresher by 41 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-1

 E-PL5 K-1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 provides exterior measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL5 versus Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the E-PL5 vs the K-1.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and K-1 is 88 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and K-1.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-1 will produce more detail as a result of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older E-PL5 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
85
you can focus manually
megapixel count great (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography information
Pentax K-1 Street photography information
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery power (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
75
includes touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse function
53
weather proofing
megapixel count great (36MP)
terrible battery power (760 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
no Timelapse function
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery power (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no external microphone support
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-09-17 2016-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 96
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 14.6
DXO Low light rating 889 3280
Other
Battery life 360 shots 760 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 2
Pricing at launch $400 $1,499