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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Superseded the Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-1 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was introduced 7 years earlier than the K-1 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 scores versus the K-1 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-1 II

 E-PM1 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-1 II E-PM1 
ReleasedFebruary 2018November 2011Fresher by 76 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-1 II

 E-PM1 K-1 II 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 II has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-1 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 and the K-1 II.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and K-1 II is 89 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The visual here may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and K-1 II.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-1 II will provide more detail using its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
86
focusing manually
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (670 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography advice
45
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
environment sealing
MP count excellent (36MP)
bad battery power (670 shots)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery power (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-11-23 2018-02-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 12800 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 670 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single Dual
Retail pricing $499 $1,737