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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(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
Pentax K-5
(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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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

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.

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The 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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Pentax K-5

 E-PL5 K-5 
LaunchedSeptember 2012December 2010Fresher by 22 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed 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 resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-5

 E-PL5 K-5 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
73
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
Pentax K-5 Street photography info
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
75
offers focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse recording
65
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
78
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Pentax 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