Pentax K-3 II vs Olympus E-M1X

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Pentax K-3 II vs Olympus E-M1X

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1X Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1X.
Compare Olympus E-M1X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1X conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Olympus E-M1X

Less expensive
$830 vs $1699
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1X advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
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 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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

870 vs 720 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.7 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.7 fps vs 8.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
49 vs 22 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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 GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M1X User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

Terrific overall image quality for a 20MP 4/3" sensor; Very good high ISO performance this sensor size; Very impressive & improved AF performance; Extremely fast, responsive overall performance; New Intelligent Subject Detection AF feature works well; More video features; Outstanding IBIS.
Image quality not improved from (updated) E-M1 II; Faces tough competition with image quality at this price point, especially at higher ISOs; EVF feels somewhat outdated; Expensive for a Micro Four Thirds camera.
Read our Olympus E-M1X Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Olympus E-M1X

Canon T6i

$2240
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Canon T6i

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Pentax K-3 II

Panasonic GH5

$830
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH5

$2240
4/3

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Olympus E-M1X

Pentax KP

$2240
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T7i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T7i

Olympus E-M1X

Canon T7i

$2240
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Canon T7i

Compared to Panasonic GH6

Pentax K-3 II

Panasonic GH6

$830
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2200
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Panasonic GH6

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH6

$2240
4/3

Built-in GPS
Longer video battery life

$2200
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Newer

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH6

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