Pentax K-5 IIs vs Olympus E-M5 II

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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Olympus E-M5 II

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

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 IIs Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5 IIs.

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

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

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 III
Compare E-M5 II vs E-M5 III
Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Olympus E-M5 III

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Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Olympus E-M5 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)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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-5 IIs test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

1,208 vs 908 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-5 IIs test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

14.1 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

740 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
44 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
469g vs 740g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.4 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read K-5 IIs User Reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.
Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.
Read our Pentax K-5 IIs Review

Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set
Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe
Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A35

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A35

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$567
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A35

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A57

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A57

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A37

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A37

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A37

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic GX7

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic GX85

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX85

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

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