Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-3

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL5 was manufactured 19 months earlier than the K-3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-PL5 matches up against the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Pentax K-3. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL5 features external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 vs the K-3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL5 and K-3 is 88 and 59 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and K-3.

Plainly, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL5 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 will show more detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older E-PL5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.