Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Leave Feedback

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

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

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 IV Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 IV.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Olympus E-M10 IV

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)
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.3 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
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-M10 IV advantages over Pentax K-3

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
49 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
4 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 IV

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-M10 IV Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E-M10 IV, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Olympus E-M10 IV Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Olympus E-M10 IV

Nikon D7100

$630
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$810
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 IV vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3

Canon 70D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 70D

Olympus E-M10 IV

Canon 70D

$630
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M10 IV vs Canon 70D

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Olympus E-M10 IV

Nikon D5300

$630
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M10 IV vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Olympus E-M5 III

Pentax K-3

Olympus E-M5 III

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-M5 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III

$630
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

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

Compared to Panasonic G100

Pentax K-3

Panasonic G100

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M10 IV

Panasonic G100

$630
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

$599
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic G100

Compare Other Cameras?