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Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL7
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-3
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax K-3 II, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL6 (16MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL6 was unveiled 8 months earlier than the K-3 II which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL6 scores versus the K-3 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Pentax K-3 II

 E-PL6 K-3 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Olympus E-PL6

 K-3 II E-PL6 
LaunchedApril 2015August 2014More recent by 8 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax K-3 II

 E-PL6 K-3 II 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL6 has physical dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL6 and the K-3 II.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL6 and K-3 II is 88 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL6 and K-3 II.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL6 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-3 II will result in greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-PL6 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography features
71
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
79
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography advice
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
no phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL6
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
85
supports focus by touch
MP count decent (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
56
environment proofing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
low battery (720 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography features
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging factors
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Pentax K-3 II
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL6 Pentax K-3 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-08-01 2015-04-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 gr (0.72 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 360 shots 720 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Two
Launch price $300 $829