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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(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
Pentax K-5
(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  • Superseded the Pentax K-7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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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-5

 E-PM1 K-5 
IntroducedNovember 2011December 2010Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-5 E-PM1 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-5

 E-PM1 K-5 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
65
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax 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