• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 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
  • 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
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.4 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.75 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 670 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 18 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 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 Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 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 Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M5 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

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

Compared to Nikon D850

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon D850
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

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