Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Comparing the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Pentax K-5 II: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Journey?

Choosing a camera can feel like navigating a maze. Especially when the contenders come from two very different photography worlds - Olympus’s compact mirrorless approach with the PEN E-PM1 versus Pentax’s robust DSLR tradition in the K-5 II. Having spent years testing cameras across genres and rigorously assessing them in real-life shooting, I’m eager to walk you through a detailed comparison. We’ll dig into sensor tech, handling, autofocus, image quality, and practical output - all through a lens of what you actually want from your next tool.

Let’s jump in, starting with size and ergonomics, because first impressions do matter.

A Tale of Two Forms: Size, Handling, and Controls

When you pick up the Olympus E-PM1, it’s clear right away – this is a camera designed to be light and pocketable. Coming in at just 265g and measuring 110x64x34mm, it’s delightfully compact, almost toy-like compared to traditional DSLRs. This minimalist charm is typical of Micro Four Thirds mirrorless systems, where the idea is to keep things nimble without sacrificing too much on lens choices (and there are over 100 lenses available here).

Contrast that with the Pentax K-5 II, which feels like a different beast: a mid-size DSLR weighing 760g and measuring 131x97x73mm. You can tell this is a camera built for rougher handling and more serious shooting sessions. Its weather-sealed body screams reliability for outdoor and demanding use. The grip is larger and more pronounced, giving a secure hold even in wet conditions or when using heavy telephoto lenses.

From my experience testing these, the E-PM1 is perfect when stealth and portability are priorities - think street or travel photography where lugging big gear is a hassle. The K-5 II’s heft, however, contributes to stability during long telephoto work and provides a tried-and-true DSLR control scheme preferred by professionals and serious enthusiasts.

Speaking of controls, look at the top view comparison:

The Olympus keeps things straightforward, with a minimalist approach to dials and buttons - ideal for those transitioning from point-and-shoot to something more capable but still approachable. The Pentax on the other hand, offers dials, buttons, and a dedicated top LCD display - feature-heavy and customizable, which you’ll appreciate if you frequently switch settings mid-shoot.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs. APS-C

This is where things get juicy. Sensor size is the backbone of image quality, affecting resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The Olympus E-PM1 uses a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13mm with 12 megapixels resolution. The Pentax K-5 II advances with a larger APS-C sensor at 23.7x15.7mm and 16 megapixels resolution. While the pixel difference isn’t dramatic, the sensor area difference of nearly 65% in the Pentax gives it distinct advantages in light gathering and detail retention.

In lab tests and real-world shooting, this translates to the K-5 II producing images with better dynamic range (DxO Mark scores show 14.1 stops vs. 10.3 stops for the E-PM1) and higher color depth. In practical terms, you’ll recover shadows and highlights more gracefully on the Pentax, an essential factor for landscape and portrait photographers who prize nuance.

Low-light sensitivity is another crucial area. The K-5 II shines here with a low-light ISO score of 1235, compared to 499 on the E-PM1 - meaning cleaner images at higher ISOs. For astrophotography or night scenes, that’s a significant edge. Olympus packs in sensor-based image stabilization too, essential for handheld low-light shooting, but the sensor size gap is harder to overcome.

Checking Out the Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Shooting style often hinges on your framing tools - screens or viewfinders (or both). Olympus’s E-PM1 employs a 3-inch fixed HyperCrystal LCD with 460k dots and anti-reflective coating. It lacks a built-in viewfinder but supports an optional electronic VF accessory.

The Pentax K-5 II sports a similarly sized 3-inch TFT LCD but at a sharper 921k dots and includes a bright, robust optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame - a DSLR staple. There’s also a top LCD display showing key settings, a detail many photographers appreciate for quick glance info.

From my time focusing on street and travel photography, Olympus’s screen feels adequate for composing on the go but can struggle in harsh sunlight despite the coating. Pentax’s optical viewfinder provides a clear, lag-free viewing experience crucial for fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife.

I personally prefer the DSLR viewfinder for critical focus and tracking. However, the compact Olympus system shines when you want to stay discreet and frame via live view.

Image Samples That Tell the Story

Looking at actual sample images side-by-side sheds light on how specs translate to photos.

Olympus E PM1 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Portraits with the Pentax display smoother skin tone gradations and better subject separation thanks to the sensor size and lens selection flexibility. Its bokeh (background blur) is creamier, with eye-detection autofocus adding precision - an essential feature for portrait shooters.

For landscapes, the Pentax captures broader dynamic range with more texture in shadows and clouds. The Olympus files, while sharp, show slightly less tonal headroom.

Wildlife shooters will notice the Pentax’s faster 7fps burst rate versus Olympus’s 6fps, combined with an 11-point autofocus system that includes 9 cross-type AF points, outperforming the E-PM1’s 35 contrast-detection points without phase detection.

Strengths and Weaknesses Across Photography Genres

To break it down practically, here’s how each stacks up in key disciplines - with some personal testing insights.

Portrait Photography:
The Pentax’s APS-C sensor and superior autofocus system offer more accurate eye detection and pleasing bokeh, perfect for environmental and studio portraits. Olympus’s micro four thirds sensor and 12MP resolution still do an excellent job but struggle to deliver the creamy background separation prized by pros.

Landscape Photography:
Dynamic range and weather sealing matter here. Pentax has robust environmental sealing (weather-resistant body) and higher dynamic range, giving it an edge in varied conditions. Olympus’s compact form is great for travel landscapes but take care in harsh weather since there’s no sealing.

Wildlife Photography:
Autofocus speed and tracking accuracy are decisive. Pentax’s phase-detection AF and higher fps make it more capable of freezing fast action. Olympus’s contrast-detection AF performs well but can falter tracking intricate movement.

Sports Photography:
Similar story: high frame rates and tracking AF favor the Pentax. It’s built for prolonged shooting with larger buffer and longer battery life (980 shots vs. 330 shots for Olympus).

Street Photography:
Here, Olympus’s compactness and quiet operation play a winning hand. The subtle shutter and light weight allow candid shots unnoticed, while Pentax’s bulk makes it less discreet.

Macro Photography:
Both rely heavily on lenses, but internal stabilization on the Olympus helps handheld macro shots. Pentax offers a wider lens selection and arguably better manual focus precision.

Night and Astrophotography:
Pentax’s high ISO performance and dynamic range dominate, though Olympus’s sensor stabilization helps reduce blur without a tripod.

Video Capabilities:
Olympus holds a slight advantage with 1080p at 60fps (vs. Pentax’s 1080p at 25fps). However, the lack of microphone/headphone ports and basic codec options limit serious video work on either camera.

Travel Photography:
If weight and size matter most, Olympus wins hands down. Pentax’s battery life (almost 3x longer) and durability, though, reward those who prioritize reliability over weight.

Professional Use:
Pentax’s rugged build, weather sealing, extensive lens ecosystem, and RAW format support give it a clear professional edge. Olympus targets entry-level users keen on mirrorless versatility on a budget.

How Autofocus Systems Really Stack Up

Digging into autofocus is crucial since it directly influences shooting success.

The Olympus E-PM1 uses an entirely contrast-detection AF system with 35 points, including face detection, but lacks phase-detection. Contrast AF is accurate but slower and less adept at tracking.

The Pentax K-5 II incorporates hybrid AF involving 11 phase-detection points, 9 of which are cross-type, alongside contrast-detect live view AF. Phase detection allows rapid focus acquisition and smoother subject tracking. With continuous AF and eye detection, the K-5 II is well-suited to sports and wildlife.

In my hands-on AF tests, Pentax more reliably locked focus in tricky lighting and on small moving subjects, while Olympus occasionally hunted under such conditions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Any Adventure?

Weather sealing isn’t just marketing fluff. For serious outdoor photographers, it can mean the difference between shooting all day or retiring early due to gear issues.

Pentax’s K-5 II features seventh-generation weather sealing - splash, dust, and cold resistance. Despite not being waterproof or crushproof, it’s designed for rugged environments, with a magnesium-alloy body that’s durable yet comfortable.

Olympus PEN E-PM1 has no environmental sealing, which restricts it as a fair-weather camera. Its plastic-heavy build aids lightness but at the expense of durability.

Ergonomics, Battery Life, and User Interface

The E-PM1’s fixed HyperCrystal LCD is clear under usual conditions, but sunlight visibility can frustrate outdoors. The lack of a built-in viewfinder is a dealbreaker for some, forcing reliance on composing via the screen.

Pentax’s optical viewfinder provides a lag-free experience preferred by many serious shooters. The top LCD panel with exposure data is a subtle but welcome feature.

Battery life differences are stark: the Pentax’s 980 shots per charge compared to the Olympus’s 330 means longer shooting sessions without worrying about backup batteries, which is a critical consideration for professionals and travel photographers.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the Pentax’s higher buffer and burst rates push storage demands.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

Olympus utilizes the Micro Four Thirds lens mount with over 100 lenses available from multiple manufacturers. The smaller sensor allows for compact, lightweight optics, beneficial for portability but can limit reach and ultimate image quality compared to larger formats.

Pentax’s KAF2 mount supports around 150 lenses, including many legacy K-mount lenses - a boon for photographers upgrading from film or wanting broad lens variety. APS-C lenses tend to be larger, heavier, but optically richer.

Connectivity: What’s Missing and What Matters?

Neither camera offers built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which may feel limiting in today’s connected world. Olympus bundles HDMI out, USB 2.0, but no microphone or headphone jacks. Pentax also provides HDMI and USB 2.0 but adds a microphone input, enhancing video sound quality.

Neither camera includes GPS by default, but Pentax offers optional GPS accessories - a plus for travel and nature photographers needing geotagging.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Who Should Buy Which?

These DxOMark and hands-on derived scores reflect what I’ve detailed: Pentax leads significantly overall, particularly in image quality, low-light performance, and build. Olympus, while underperforming in raw specs, makes a compelling argument for beginners or those desiring a highly portable system.

If you’re a portrait or landscape enthusiast aiming for superior image quality, the Pentax K-5 II is worthwhile. For street and travel photographers prioritizing compactness and ease, Olympus offers a lightweight, capable package.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-PM1 if: You want a small, lightweight camera for casual shooting, travel, and street photography; value sensor stabilization; and prefer mirrorless versatility with extensive lens choices. It’s budget-friendly and fun but limited in harsh conditions and low light.

• Choose the Pentax K-5 II if: You’re a serious enthusiast or professional needing a tougher camera with superior image quality, weather sealing, faster autofocus, longer battery life, and a larger lens ecosystem. It excels at portraits, landscapes, sports, and wildlife, granting more creative control and reliability.

The Olympus is a charming introduction to mirrorless systems, where size and simplicity are pillars, but the Pentax remains a stalwart workhorse delivering a professional-grade experience. Your choice hinges on your shooting priorities: portability vs. rugged performance, casual fun vs. demanding work.

If you want my direct recommendation for a current purchase: while the K-5 II is older tech, it punches above its weight in image quality and handling. Meanwhile, the E-PM1 feels dated but still has a niche. Also consider that newer models from both brands have since evolved, but understanding these foundations helps you appreciate camera design philosophy and what suits your style best.

I trust this thorough comparison helps you weigh the pros and cons pragmatically - after all, the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot more and brings your creative vision to life. Happy shooting!