Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5
88 Imaging
51 Features
72 Overall
59
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Released September 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched December 2010
- Replaced the Pentax K-7
- New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Here is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) have different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-PL5 was launched 22 months later than the K-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL5 grades against the K-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL5 & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL5 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Pentax K-5
| E-PL5 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2012 | December 2010 | Fresher by 22 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-PL5
| K-5 | E-PL5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 921k | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-5
| E-PL5 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen size |
Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL5 comes with outer measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL5 vs the K-5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL5 and K-5 is 88 and 60 respectively.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL5 and K-5.
Plainly, the 2 cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow depth of field trickier. The more modern E-PL5 should have an advantage in sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Pentax K-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | Pentax K-5 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
| Released | 2012-09-17 | 2010-12-18 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Prime II |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 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 | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 325 gr (0.72 lb) | 740 gr (1.63 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 72 | 82 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 14.1 |
| DXO Low light rating | 889 | 1162 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 photographs | 980 photographs |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $400 | $800 |