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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL9
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-5 IIs, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is very similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL8 was unveiled 3 years later than the K-5 IIs and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PL8 grades against the K-5 IIs in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-PL8 K-5 IIs 
ReleasedSeptember 2016June 2013More recent by 41 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 K-5 IIs E-PL8 

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

 E-PL8 K-5 IIs 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

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

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 comes with external measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-5 IIs in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL8 vs the K-5 IIs.

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

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and K-5 IIs is 86 and 60 respectively.

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

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

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing specs. The visual underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and K-5 IIs.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 has got the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF trickier. The newer E-PL8 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL8
Street photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Sports photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography advice
71
includes touch focus
good MP (16MP)
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography factors
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging info
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2013-06-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 data 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
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 Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 350 shots 980 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $500 $749