• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,162 vs 932 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 360 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 16 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    384g vs 1003g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.9 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PM2

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

  • Super compact and lightweight; Excellent image and print quality that rivals much more expensive CSCs and DSLRs; Solid low-light (high ISO) performance; Touchscreen LCD responsive and useful once you get used to it; Speedy and accurate AF on still subjects; Tons of advanced shooting features and customizing options.

  • Maddening menu system; No physical Mode dial; Motion AF not quite up to par; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-PM2
Canon T3i
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video
Olympus E-PM2
Nikon D5100
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Pentax K-5
Panasonic GF3
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K-30
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax K-5
Panasonic GM5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GM5
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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