Pentax K-1 vs Olympus E-M5 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-1 vs Olympus E-M5 III

Leave Feedback

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

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

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 III.
Compare Olympus E-M5 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Olympus E-M5 III

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

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

760 vs 310 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
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
74 vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Pentax K-1

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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
49 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
414g vs 1015g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
30.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Silver)

All E-M5 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 Review

Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.
Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.
Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Olympus E-M5 III

Canon 5DS

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Olympus E-M5 III

Canon 5DS R

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1729
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Olympus E-M5 III

Pentax K-1 II

$924
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Panasonic G100

Pentax K-1

Panasonic G100

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III

Panasonic G100

$924
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$599
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Pentax K-1

Olympus E-M10 IV

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$649
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$649
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Compare Other Cameras?