Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-01 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-01.

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.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

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Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Pentax K-01

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark K-01 test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 1,135 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.80 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.4 vs 16.3 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
51 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-01 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.
Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.
Read our Pentax K-01 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Pentax K-01

Fujifilm X-T2

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-01 vs 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

Compared to Samsung NX10

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX10

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX10

Olympus E-M1 II

Samsung NX10

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX10

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro1

Pentax K-01

Fujifilm X-Pro1

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$499
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Fujifilm X-Pro1

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-Pro1

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-Pro1

Compared to Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX20

Olympus E-M1 II

Samsung NX20

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung NX20

Compared to Panasonic G7

Pentax K-01

Panasonic G7

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs 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

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