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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL9
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL8 was launched 3 years after the K-5 II which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-PL8 scores vs the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax K-5 II

 E-PL8 K-5 II 
IntroducedSeptember 2016June 2013More modern by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Olympus E-PL8

 K-5 II E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-5 II

 E-PL8 K-5 II 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL8 provides external measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL8 against the K-5 II.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and K-5 II is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and K-5 II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL8 has the tinier sensor which will make achieving bokeh trickier. The younger E-PL8 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography information
72
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL8
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography information
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
71
offers touch to focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging advice
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax K-5 II
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2013-06-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 350 shots 980 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $500 $830