K5 ii or oly em5/omd?

RyanW · 11-26-2012, 07:39 AM

Each camera has the best sensor for it's respective format as far as high ISO performance. The Pentax having the larger sensor is better. Full frame sensors are a step up again from there.

The one worry I'd have on the Pentax side is how low is low light. In the past, Pentax has had some issues focusing at low light though it's been improving with each iteration of SAFOX (the Pentax AF system) Hopefully some that shoot in those situations can chime in with real world results, otherwise use the search in the forum.

gooseta · 11-26-2012, 10:25 AM

Why do people say the K5iis is a specialist tool? I am an amateur with a K5iis, I take landscapes, architecture and general walking around shots? It's not like a medium format or anything It's still a NORMAL CAMERA

memo90061 · 11-26-2012, 12:01 PM

I've been thinking of both of these cameras too. I'm still not ready to buy into any system until I sell my Canon T2i and lens. I thought of these two because both are weather sealed and have IBIS. I mostly take snapshots of everything I see that I think looks good. Pentax looks really good, but I also like video and it doesn't look so good. The Olympus is smaller, and love how video looks thanks to IBIS, but picture may not be as good as Pentax due to it's sensor. I wanted to buy a smaller system, but don't know if I want to sacrifice that for image quality. I'm so undecided. haha

gooseta · 11-26-2012, 12:25 PM

The oly system isn't that small. the kit lens looks like a monster on it, thats why my father got into photography recently using an RX100, because he saw how bulky the mirrorless system was. Also a K5iis with a limited lens will be really small for that kind of iq.

memo90061 · 11-26-2012, 12:54 PM

Yes the kit lens that comes with it is very long. I would want to buy either the Panasonic 25mm f1.4 lens or a pancake lens.

There aren't many fast wide primes for Pentax are there? I think if I were to buy the Pentax I'd get the WR kit lens, and maybe the Sigma f1.4. I'm just not sure about Pentax because of the video quality. While I don't do video that often I do want good quality.

I also have the Sony RX100, but haven't had it with me in my pockets because I haven't bought any protection for it, and don't want the LCD to get scratched.

IchabodCrane · 11-26-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by gooseta

The oly system isn't that small. the kit lens looks like a monster on it, thats why my father got into photography recently using an RX100, because he saw how bulky the mirrorless system was. Also a K5iis with a limited lens will be really small for that kind of iq.

I'm a Pentax user but even I can recognize that, apples-to-apples, the Olympus system is a bit smaller. The "monster" kit lens you're thinking of must be something different than the Oly 14-42 lens because it's quite compact. I also think they have the wide to normal range covered with primes at least as well as Pentax does.

There's nothing wrong with Olympus's E-M5 but it's not for everyone. I didn't buy it but had I... I suspect I would like it.

gooseta · 11-26-2012, 01:42 PM - **1 Like**

the thing that leaves me thinking how oly sell the omd is it is that it is the same price as high end APS-C SLRs, it's just around the A77/D7000/K5ii(s) price point with a smaller sensor, WAY less lens selection and worse high iso, not to mention less detail from a smaller sensor.

Giklab · 11-26-2012, 01:46 PM

Let me give you a hint:

Oooh, shiny!

gooseta · 11-26-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by Giklab

Let me give you a hint:

Oooh, shiny!

lol, people will pay ANYTHING for retro

memo90061 · 11-26-2012, 01:57 PM

Yes that's why I'm undecided because of the price. I think their lens selection is alright (probably because they have the ones I want at reasonable prices). The Pentax lenses I want are so expensive, and I would probably only buy Sigma lenses to use on the Pentax.

**rparmar** · 11-26-2012, 01:58 PM

Disclaimer: I don't own either of these cameras (being a starving artist who makes do with older models) but I have used the K-5 and (briefly) E-M5. And I have used both of these camera systems... extensively.

First, I don't think anyone has addressed the DNG issue in the OP. I love that Pentax shoots natively in that format. For Olympus I simply use the free Adobe DNG converter. With Lightroom you don't need to, but I prefer that workflow. Problem solved.

People argue back and forth which is the best camera for auto-focus. I think both of these will do fine for relatively immobile subjects. For tracking get a Canikon.

As for physical heft, just try to see the difference. You know, in prints. Sometimes I wonder if people here actually take photos or just argue about numbers. Yeah, I know, it's "the internets".

How large do you need your prints to be? At what resolution? Maybe you need a full-frame or medium format camera instead of these little "cropped sensors".

As for size, I much prefer Olympus, which is why I (largely) switched over. I can pack a high quality prime kit in a bag no-one even notices -- the same space might just fit a Pentax body. That is a real win for me. People complain about cameras being "too small" and then use a smart phone with tiny controls and itsy screens. I don't get it. I have never found a camera that as too small, but I have found some badly designed ones. Then they might feel small, or, more precisely, simply wrong. But I like the usability of Olympus and Pentax (Fuji too).

But if you need a big camera to impress the chicks (or the dudes) then, heck, just buy a Canon.

For lenses, it's best to first ask what you need, and then see if the system can deliver. Pentax still doesn't have a fast normal prime, something we've been banging on about for ages. It does have some superlative glass in the FA Limited series. Few brands touch that. But they haven't advanced on those old designs.

But MFT has some amazing lenses as well. Right now I carry the Panasonic 14mm and Olympus 45mm. Images are every bit as good as most Pentax glass (reserving only the FA43 / 77 for special consideration). And now there is the 75mm with stellar rendering that seems to be tackling the FA77 head on.

Of course on the MFT system you can use any legacy lens ever made, so long as you don't care about AF. That is a massive advantage over Pentax, even if there are a good number of M42 and K-mount lenses floating around.

(Oh yeah, I should mention that, as a photographer, I know where I want to focus. I don't want to bet on a computer doing it for me. YMMV.)

I can't tell you about flash, since I use exactly the same trigger to exactly the same pots (Metz) on either camera.

The EVF system on the Olympus is far superior to Pentax. Having all my controls in a HUD gives me more control without removing my eye from the finder. No need for top panel on the camera; no need to look at the back LCD. Plus I can magnify in on the focus point, ramp up the light to see in the dark, etc. I was sceptical and am optical viewfinder aficionado until the EVF quality got good enough to convince me otherwise.

Pentax is a more responsive camera, has slightly higher dynamic range, and seems better built to me... though things have been slightly downhill since the K20D. The system has more weather-sealed lenses, though if you are using primes I wouldn't worry so long as the body is sealed. I mean heck, I took the DA12-24 right under Niagara Falls and was simply careful. Cameras can't do your thinking for you.

**rparmar** · 11-26-2012, 02:10 PM

Just to get real for a moment, how about some photos in a photography thread? All were taken with either the Pentax K20D or an Olympus PEN digital camera.

This one was used as a record sleeve. Which camera took it?

This one was placed in a major juried print show. Which camera took it?

This photo was chosen for a festival catalogue. Which camera took it?

The point being? Define your needs. Choose your system. Have fun. And (mostly) stay off photo forums.

audiobomber · 11-26-2012, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by RyanW

The one worry I'd have on the Pentax side is how low is low light. In the past, Pentax has had some issues focusing at low light though it's been improving with each iteration of SAFOX (the Pentax AF system) Hopefully some that shoot in those situations can chime in with real world results, otherwise use the search in the forum.

Have you seen the testing done here? The K-5 II AF is much better than the K-5 in low light and no problems with tungsten light. I can't imagine a MILC having comparable performance in low light.
Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review - Autofocus - PentaxForums.com

As far as I've heard, Continuous AF and fpcus tracking are poor to non-existent with Contrast-detect cameras like the OM5-D.

**Rondec** · 11-26-2012, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Have you seen the testing done here? The K-5 II AF is much better than the K-5 in low light and no problems with tungsten light. I can't imagine a MILC having comparable performance in low light.
Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review - Autofocus - PentaxForums.com

As far as I've heard, Continuous AF and fpcus tracking are poor to non-existent with Contrast-detect cameras like the OM5-D.

I think this is the big achille's heel for MILC. Continuous auto focus just isn't there. I think K5 trails Canon and Nikon, but I am afraid that the OM-D trails Pentax.

The only MILC that has that has decent tracking/continuous auto focus at this point is the Nikon 1 series, which of course uses phase detect auto focus points on the sensor, rather than contrast based focusing.

metalmania · 11-26-2012, 03:16 PM

OM-D is simply outstanding. I have a K-30 and two OM-Ds. OM-D almost never misses focus in low light.

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11-26-2012, 07:39 AM	#31
RyanW Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 583	Each camera has the best sensor for it's respective format as far as high ISO performance. The Pentax having the larger sensor is better. Full frame sensors are a step up again from there. The one worry I'd have on the Pentax side is how low is low light. In the past, Pentax has had some issues focusing at low light though it's been improving with each iteration of SAFOX (the Pentax AF system) Hopefully some that shoot in those situations can chime in with real world results, otherwise use the search in the forum.

11-26-2012, 10:25 AM	#32
gooseta Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London Posts: 157	Why do people say the K5iis is a specialist tool? I am an amateur with a K5iis, I take landscapes, architecture and general walking around shots? It's not like a medium format or anything It's still a NORMAL CAMERA

11-26-2012, 12:01 PM	#33
memo90061 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	I've been thinking of both of these cameras too. I'm still not ready to buy into any system until I sell my Canon T2i and lens. I thought of these two because both are weather sealed and have IBIS. I mostly take snapshots of everything I see that I think looks good. Pentax looks really good, but I also like video and it doesn't look so good. The Olympus is smaller, and love how video looks thanks to IBIS, but picture may not be as good as Pentax due to it's sensor. I wanted to buy a smaller system, but don't know if I want to sacrifice that for image quality. I'm so undecided. haha

11-26-2012, 12:25 PM	#34
gooseta Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London Posts: 157	The oly system isn't that small. the kit lens looks like a monster on it, thats why my father got into photography recently using an RX100, because he saw how bulky the mirrorless system was. Also a K5iis with a limited lens will be really small for that kind of iq.

11-26-2012, 12:54 PM	#35
memo90061 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	Yes the kit lens that comes with it is very long. I would want to buy either the Panasonic 25mm f1.4 lens or a pancake lens. There aren't many fast wide primes for Pentax are there? I think if I were to buy the Pentax I'd get the WR kit lens, and maybe the Sigma f1.4. I'm just not sure about Pentax because of the video quality. While I don't do video that often I do want good quality. I also have the Sony RX100, but haven't had it with me in my pockets because I haven't bought any protection for it, and don't want the LCD to get scratched.

11-26-2012, 12:58 PM	#36
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by gooseta The oly system isn't that small. the kit lens looks like a monster on it, thats why my father got into photography recently using an RX100, because he saw how bulky the mirrorless system was. Also a K5iis with a limited lens will be really small for that kind of iq. I'm a Pentax user but even I can recognize that, apples-to-apples, the Olympus system is a bit smaller. The "monster" kit lens you're thinking of must be something different than the Oly 14-42 lens because it's quite compact. I also think they have the wide to normal range covered with primes at least as well as Pentax does. There's nothing wrong with Olympus's E-M5 but it's not for everyone. I didn't buy it but had I... I suspect I would like it.

11-26-2012, 01:42 PM - 1 Like	#37
gooseta Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London Posts: 157	the thing that leaves me thinking how oly sell the omd is it is that it is the same price as high end APS-C SLRs, it's just around the A77/D7000/K5ii(s) price point with a smaller sensor, WAY less lens selection and worse high iso, not to mention less detail from a smaller sensor.

11-26-2012, 01:46 PM	#38
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Let me give you a hint: Oooh, shiny!

11-26-2012, 01:56 PM	#39
gooseta Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London Posts: 157	Originally posted by Giklab Let me give you a hint: Oooh, shiny! lol, people will pay ANYTHING for retro

11-26-2012, 01:57 PM	#40
memo90061 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	Yes that's why I'm undecided because of the price. I think their lens selection is alright (probably because they have the ones I want at reasonable prices). The Pentax lenses I want are so expensive, and I would probably only buy Sigma lenses to use on the Pentax.

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11-26-2012, 01:58 PM	#41
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	Disclaimer: I don't own either of these cameras (being a starving artist who makes do with older models) but I have used the K-5 and (briefly) E-M5. And I have used both of these camera systems... extensively. First, I don't think anyone has addressed the DNG issue in the OP. I love that Pentax shoots natively in that format. For Olympus I simply use the free Adobe DNG converter. With Lightroom you don't need to, but I prefer that workflow. Problem solved. People argue back and forth which is the best camera for auto-focus. I think both of these will do fine for relatively immobile subjects. For tracking get a Canikon. As for physical heft, just try to see the difference. You know, in prints. Sometimes I wonder if people here actually take photos or just argue about numbers. Yeah, I know, it's "the internets". How large do you need your prints to be? At what resolution? Maybe you need a full-frame or medium format camera instead of these little "cropped sensors". As for size, I much prefer Olympus, which is why I (largely) switched over. I can pack a high quality prime kit in a bag no-one even notices -- the same space might just fit a Pentax body. That is a real win for me. People complain about cameras being "too small" and then use a smart phone with tiny controls and itsy screens. I don't get it. I have never found a camera that as too small, but I have found some badly designed ones. Then they might feel small, or, more precisely, simply wrong. But I like the usability of Olympus and Pentax (Fuji too). But if you need a big camera to impress the chicks (or the dudes) then, heck, just buy a Canon. For lenses, it's best to first ask what you need, and then see if the system can deliver. Pentax still doesn't have a fast normal prime, something we've been banging on about for ages. It does have some superlative glass in the FA Limited series. Few brands touch that. But they haven't advanced on those old designs. But MFT has some amazing lenses as well. Right now I carry the Panasonic 14mm and Olympus 45mm. Images are every bit as good as most Pentax glass (reserving only the FA43 / 77 for special consideration). And now there is the 75mm with stellar rendering that seems to be tackling the FA77 head on. Of course on the MFT system you can use any legacy lens ever made, so long as you don't care about AF. That is a massive advantage over Pentax, even if there are a good number of M42 and K-mount lenses floating around. (Oh yeah, I should mention that, as a photographer, I know where I want to focus. I don't want to bet on a computer doing it for me. YMMV.) I can't tell you about flash, since I use exactly the same trigger to exactly the same pots (Metz) on either camera. The EVF system on the Olympus is far superior to Pentax. Having all my controls in a HUD gives me more control without removing my eye from the finder. No need for top panel on the camera; no need to look at the back LCD. Plus I can magnify in on the focus point, ramp up the light to see in the dark, etc. I was sceptical and am optical viewfinder aficionado until the EVF quality got good enough to convince me otherwise. Pentax is a more responsive camera, has slightly higher dynamic range, and seems better built to me... though things have been slightly downhill since the K20D. The system has more weather-sealed lenses, though if you are using primes I wouldn't worry so long as the body is sealed. I mean heck, I took the DA12-24 right under Niagara Falls and was simply careful. Cameras can't do your thinking for you.

11-26-2012, 02:10 PM	#42
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	Just to get real for a moment, how about some photos in a photography thread? All were taken with either the Pentax K20D or an Olympus PEN digital camera. This one was used as a record sleeve. Which camera took it? This one was placed in a major juried print show. Which camera took it? This photo was chosen for a festival catalogue. Which camera took it? The point being? Define your needs. Choose your system. Have fun. And (mostly) stay off photo forums.

11-26-2012, 02:59 PM	#43
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by RyanW The one worry I'd have on the Pentax side is how low is low light. In the past, Pentax has had some issues focusing at low light though it's been improving with each iteration of SAFOX (the Pentax AF system) Hopefully some that shoot in those situations can chime in with real world results, otherwise use the search in the forum. Have you seen the testing done here? The K-5 II AF is much better than the K-5 in low light and no problems with tungsten light. I can't imagine a MILC having comparable performance in low light. Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review - Autofocus - PentaxForums.com As far as I've heard, Continuous AF and fpcus tracking are poor to non-existent with Contrast-detect cameras like the OM5-D.

11-26-2012, 03:10 PM	#44
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by audiobomber Have you seen the testing done here? The K-5 II AF is much better than the K-5 in low light and no problems with tungsten light. I can't imagine a MILC having comparable performance in low light. Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review - Autofocus - PentaxForums.com As far as I've heard, Continuous AF and fpcus tracking are poor to non-existent with Contrast-detect cameras like the OM5-D. I think this is the big achille's heel for MILC. Continuous auto focus just isn't there. I think K5 trails Canon and Nikon, but I am afraid that the OM-D trails Pentax. The only MILC that has that has decent tracking/continuous auto focus at this point is the Nikon 1 series, which of course uses phase detect auto focus points on the sensor, rather than contrast based focusing.

11-26-2012, 03:16 PM	#45
metalmania Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	OM-D is simply outstanding. I have a K-30 and two OM-Ds. OM-D almost never misses focus in low light.