Olympus Stylus 1s vs. Pentax K-5 II: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

When narrowing down your next camera purchase, it’s vital to align the choice with your shooting ambitions, budget, and preferred photographic styles. Today, we’ll take an in-depth, firsthand look at two distinct cameras that appeal to very different audiences: the Olympus Stylus 1s, a versatile small-sensor superzoom bridge camera, and the Pentax K-5 II, a mid-range APS-C DSLR designed for more serious enthusiasts. Having spent time photographing with both in varied conditions and genres, this comparison will unpack their core strengths, practical performances, and how they stack up across key photography disciplines.

Form Factor and Ergonomics: Bridge Camera Agility Meets DSLR Substance

An early impression of any camera lies in its handling and build. The Olympus Stylus 1s, with its compact bridge camera form factor, offers an approachable size measuring 116x87x57 mm and a weight of just 402 grams. It’s crafted to fit comfortably in your hands with a modest grip, making it ideal for travel or street shooters who value noticeably lighter carry loads.

In contrast, the Pentax K-5 II sports a classic mid-size DSLR build, measuring 131x97x73 mm and weighing 760 grams. It feels substantial and robust, designed for long shooting sessions and handling larger lenses without fatigue. The DSLR’s traditional grip and button layout are favored by users accustomed to manual controls and rugged use scenarios.

I found myself appreciating the 1s for quick setup and spontaneous shooting due to its lightweight feel, while the K-5 II’s heft provided confidence when using telephoto lenses or during harsh weather conditions, courtesy of its environmental sealing.

Intuitive Control and User Interface: Precision vs. Simplicity

Control layout contributes significantly to workflow efficiency. The Olympus 1s mimics an SLR-like design with a good balance of physical dials and touchscreen input on its tilting 3-inch 1,040k-dot display. Touch autofocus and menu navigation are responsive, making it great for newcomers and street photographers needing fast compositional checks. However, the touchscreen’s smaller surface area demands some precision, and the absence of a top LCD can slow quick parameter verification.

The Pentax K-5 II follows a more traditional DSLR control scheme with numerous customizable physical buttons and a top information panel - a feature enthusiasts value for direct access to exposure settings without diving into menus. The fixed 3-inch 921k-dot LCD is non-touch but highly readable in daylight. The pentaprism optical viewfinder boasts a bright, 100% coverage view with 0.61x magnification, superior to the Olympus’s electronic viewfinder for clarity and minimal lag.

Having tested both in daylight and low light, I found the K-5 II’s physical controls enhanced my shooting efficiency, especially during action or wildlife sessions where rapid adjustments matter. The Olympus’s touchscreen worked well for casual shooting but felt less tactile under intense use.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor Versatility vs. APS-C Endurance

At the heart of any camera is its sensor. Olympus equips the Stylus 1s with a 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor, delivering 12 megapixels over a compact 7.44x5.58 mm area. Its pixel density supports respectable noise control and produces 3968x2976 pixel images. Despite knowing it’s limited relative to larger sensors, I was honestly impressed with the sharpness and color fidelity in good lighting, thanks to an effective TruePic VII processor and high-quality fixed 28–300mm f/2.8 lens.

Conversely, the Pentax K-5 II’s APS-C CMOS sensor measures a generous 23.7x15.7 mm with 16 megapixels, yielding 4928x3264 images. The larger sensor provides notable advantages in dynamic range, low-light noise handling, and color depth - a fact confirmed by its DxOMark score of 82 overall, including high marks for color depth (23.8) and dynamic range (14.1 stops). The K-5 II’s native ISO runs from 100 to 12,800 with boosting up to 51,200, allowing far greater flexibility in challenging light.

Within landscape and portrait contexts, this translates directly into more room in shadows and highlights, better skin tone rendition, and cleaner results at high ISO. Olympus’s smaller sensor limits post-processing latitude but wins on portability and integrated zoom reach.

Autofocus System Performance: Contrast Detection vs. Phase-Detection Hybrid

Autofocus accuracy and speed are fundamental for sports, wildlife, and fast-paced shooting. Olympus’s Stylus 1s uses a contrast-detection system with 35 focus points, which performed competently in ideal lighting and for still subjects. It features face detection and tap-to-focus via touchscreen, but I noticed a degree of hunting under low light or on moving targets.

Meanwhile, the Pentax K-5 II boasts an 11-point autofocus system with 9 cross-type phase-detection points, enhancing speed and precision. Alongside selective AF modes and AF tracking, this DSLR excels in locking on unpredictable subjects - proven during my wildlife outings where sharp focus on birds in flight was consistently achievable.

The K-5 II additionally supports live view with contrast detection, useful for macro or landscape focus stacking setups. Neither offers animal eye AF, a feature you might expect in newer models, but K-5 II’s phase detection remains more reliable in continuous-action disciplines.

Handling Across Photography Genres: A Practical Breakdown

Portrait Photography

• Olympus 1s: The bright f/2.8 constant aperture and 28-300mm zoom allow tight framing with appealing background blur, though limited by the smaller sensor's depth-of-field control. Eye detection AF and face detection assist framing, but minor softness can occur in shallow depth scenarios.
• Pentax K-5 II: Delivers crisper portraits with better skin tone reproduction thanks to larger sensor and improved color accuracy. The ability to use fast prime lenses on the KAF2 mount adds significant creative control for bokeh and subject isolation.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus 1s: Compact and travel-friendly; wide focal coverage assists framing flexibility. The sensor’s dynamic range is modest, resulting in more care during exposure, especially in high-contrast scenes.
• Pentax K-5 II: Excels with superior dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing (rain and dust resistant) ideal for rugged outdoor shooting. Compatible with sharp prime and zoom lenses well-suited for detailed landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus 1s: Integrated 28-300mm zoom (equivalent to 35mm to 600mm on full-frame) provides respectable reach with optical stabilization. Autofocus speed and burst rate (7 FPS) are decent but limited for serious action.
• Pentax K-5 II: While lacking built-in telephoto lenses, the body supports extensive K-mount lenses including super-telephotos. Faster and more reliable AF tracking combined with 7 FPS continuous shooting make it more adept for wildlife action.

Sports Photography

• Olympus 1s: Burst capability is average; autofocus lags slightly on fast subjects. Good stabilization compensates for handheld shooting.
• Pentax K-5 II: Smoother AF tracking, higher shutter speeds (up to 1/8000s), and robust build make it a better fit for sports enthusiasts.

Street Photography

• Olympus 1s: Small size, quiet operation, and touchscreen controls enable discreet shooting. The electronic viewfinder aids in framing without eye contact.
• Pentax K-5 II: Bulkier and louder shutter, less discreet. However, manual control responsiveness can attract advanced street photographers.

Macro Photography

• Olympus 1s: A 5 cm minimum focus distance and optical stabilization help achieve close-up clarity with ease.
• Pentax K-5 II: Superior resolution and plethora of macro K-mount lenses yield higher detail levels, though autofocus speed may vary with lens choice.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus 1s: ISO up to 12,800 and image stabilization assist handheld night scenes but sensor noise increases rapidly.
• Pentax K-5 II: Broad ISO range (up to 51,200 boosted), improved noise control, and slower shutter capabilities make it a top contender for astro enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus 1s: Full HD at 30p, H.264 compression, optical stabilization onboard, but lacking microphone input limits sound quality.
• Pentax K-5 II: Full HD at 25p, Motion JPEG format (bulkier files), includes microphone input, enhancing audio recording potential. No form of in-body stabilization for video, so lenses with OIS are preferred.

Travel Photography

• Olympus 1s: Highly compact, versatile zoom range, excellent for lightweight travel setups.
• Pentax K-5 II: Bulkier but highly versatile with battery life almost double at 980 shots per charge, suitable for extended trips where lens swaps are expected.

Professional Workflows

• Olympus 1s: RAW support for post-processing flexibility despite smaller sensor constraints. Limited external accessories may restrict use in professional studio setups.
• Pentax K-5 II: Supports professional tethering workflows, rugged build, and advanced exposure controls suit studio and field professionals alike.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

The Olympus 1s’s 3-inch, tilting, 1,040k-dot touchscreen is intuitive and bright. This flexibility is practical for low-angle or overhead shots. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is 1,440k-dot with 100% coverage, which, while excellent for a bridge camera, can show lag and noise in low light.

The Pentax K-5 II’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD is slightly less sharp at 921k dots and non-touch. Yet, its pentaprism optical viewfinder provides a clear, lag-free, and natural viewing experience preferred by many pros, with 100% frame coverage ensuring compositions are precise.

My testing reveals that serious photographers leaning on an optical viewfinder will favor the K-5 II, while casual shooters or videographers might appreciate the Olympus’s EVF and touchscreen combo.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Image Quality - Real-World Comparisons

The above gallery highlights each camera’s output under controlled shooting:

• Colors from the Pentax K-5 II appear richer with more natural skin tones.
• Olympus 1s images maintain satisfactory sharpness but reveal more noise and less gradation in shadow detail.
• Edge-to-edge sharpness favors the K-5 II, especially when paired with quality primes.
• The Olympus lens’s versatility is evident in the wide zoom range, capturing a variety of perspectives quickly.

Performance Metrics and Ratings

Measured by standardized criteria and practical use:

Genre-Specific Recommendations: Who Should Choose What?

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Pentax K-5 II excels in on-the-go endurance with roughly 980 shots per charge versus the Olympus 1s’s 450 shots. Both accept SD cards (SDHC/SDXC), but only the Olympus supports built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer - a plus for instant sharing.

The K-5 II features a microphone input for improved audio recording but lacks built-in wireless functions, which could be a consideration for multimedia shooters relying on mobile connectivity.

Lens Ecosystem and Accessories

A compelling advantage for Pentax users is the expansive KAF2 lens lineup - over 150 compatible glass options spanning primes, zooms, and specialty lenses - allowing customization for virtually every photography niche.

Olympus 1s’s fixed 28–300mm f/2.8 lens provides extraordinary value in versatility and convenience but restricts creative lens swapping or upgrades. This limitation is key for shooters seeking maximum optical flexibility.

Build and Durability

The Pentax K-5 II outmatches the Olympus 1s on build quality with extensive dust and weather sealing, suited for demanding environments. This makes a material difference for outdoor and professional use where reliability under adverse conditions is non-negotiable.

In contrast, the Olympus 1s lacks environmental sealing and is best kept in moderate settings.

Final Thoughts: Matching Strengths to Your Priorities

If portability, ease of use, and zoom versatility top your wish list - whether you travel light, shoot casual street photography, or want solid video in a compact package - the Olympus Stylus 1s offers an appealing, all-in-one solution. It’s especially recommended for enthusiasts valuing convenience and mobile adaptability.

Conversely, if your passion leans toward image quality, creative control, rugged reliability, and lens flexibility, the Pentax K-5 II remains a steadfast investment. Its performance advantages shine for demanding portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and professional workflows. While heavier and less pocketable, it rewards users with superior technical capability and durability.

Summary Table: Quick Takeaways

Why You Can Trust This Review

As a photographer with over 15 years of rigorous camera testing experience, including thousands of hours evaluating sensor performance, autofocus accuracy, and ergonomics, I have personally used both cameras in diverse shooting scenarios - from landscapes at dawn to sports events in challenging light. Results presented here stem from both controlled lab environments and real-world use to provide you with trustworthy, actionable insights.

Choosing your next camera is about finding the perfect match for your creative style and practical needs. Between the Olympus Stylus 1s and Pentax K-5 II, your decision hinges on whether portability and zoom convenience or image quality and durability drive your photography. I hope this detailed comparison assists you in making an informed selection that fuels your photographic passion.

Happy shooting!