Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1
88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60


55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Pentax K-1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Pentax K-1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2016 | ![]() | September 2012 | Fresher by 41 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Pentax 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 |