Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5
89 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
49
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Introduced November 2011
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced December 2010
- Superseded the Pentax K-7
- Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Lets look closer at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) have different sensor size.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe E-PM1 was launched 12 months later than the K-5 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PM1 scores against the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-5
| E-PM1 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | November 2011 | December 2010 | Fresher by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-PM1
| K-5 | E-PM1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 921k | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-5
| E-PM1 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-PM1 and the K-5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and K-5 is 89 and 60 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and K-5.
Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-5 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-PM1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax K-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax K-5 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
| Introduced | 2011-11-23 | 2010-12-18 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic VI | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/180 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 265 grams (0.58 pounds) | 740 grams (1.63 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 52 | 82 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 14.1 |
| DXO Low light rating | 499 | 1162 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 pictures | 980 pictures |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at launch | $499 | $800 |