Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 18 months before the K-5 II which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-PM1 grades vs the K-5 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Pentax K-5 II. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Pentax K-5 II Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-5 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the K-5 II.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and K-5 II is 89 and 60 respectively.

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The picture below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-5 II will provide you with more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.