Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M10 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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 II.
Compare Olympus E-M10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 III
Compare E-M10 II vs E-M10 III
Compare Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
K-01 test data on DxO Mark E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark

1,135 vs 842 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

500 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Pentax K-01

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
More telephoto lens reach
84 mm vs 61 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.80 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
28 mm vs 61 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-01 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm II R lens

All E-M10 II Deals

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 value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.
Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.
Read our Olympus E-M10 II Review

The Competition

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-M10 II

Samsung NX10

$349
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Samsung NX10

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-M10 II

Samsung NX20

$349
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Samsung NX20

Compared to Samsung NX30

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX30

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX30

Olympus E-M10 II

Samsung NX30

$349
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Samsung NX30

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Pentax K-01

Olympus E-M10

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

$399
4/3

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-01

Panasonic GX85

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85

$349
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic GX85

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