Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II

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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-1 II

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4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Olympus E-M1 Mark III vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Less expensive
$899* vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Lighter weight
574g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

670 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
36.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
77 vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Pentax K-1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic G7

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic GX8

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic G85

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic G85

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