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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Revealed September 2012
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • Successor is Pentax K100D S
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL5 versus Pentax K100D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and K100D (6MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and K100D (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL5 was launched 5 years later than the K100D and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PL5 matches up vs the K100D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Pentax K100D

 E-PL5 K100D 
LaunchedSeptember 2012December 2006Fresher by 71 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kCrisper display (+250k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus E-PL5

 K100D E-PL5 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K100D

 E-PL5 K100D 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL5 has got exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Pentax K100D has measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL5 versus Pentax K100D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL5 and the K100D.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and K100D is 88 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and K100D.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus E-PL5 will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more recent E-PL5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
51
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography advice
Pentax K100D Street photography advice
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
heavier than competition (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography details
Pentax K100D Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
Travel photography with Pentax K100D
75
features touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse mode
42
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (660 grams)
sensor resolution low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse mode
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging information
Pentax K100D Vlogging information
78
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Pentax K100D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-09-17 2006-12-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lbs) 660g (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $400 $0