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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-01, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The E-1 was unveiled 9 years earlier than the K-01 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-1 grades versus the K-01 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax K-01

 E-1 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-1

 K-01 E-1 
RevealedMay 2012November 2003More modern by 103 months
Screen dimensions3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k134kCrisper screen (+787k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-01

 E-1 K-01 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 enjoys physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has specifications of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-01 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-1 versus the K-01.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and K-01 is 59 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and K-01.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-01 will give you more detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography features
Pentax K-01 Street photography features
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition (735 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than competition in class (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Pentax K-01
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (540 per charge)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-01 Travel photography details
47
lighter than competition (735g)
environment proof
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
great battery life (540 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than competition in class (561g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography information
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is small (1.8")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (561g)
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus E-1Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax K-01
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2003-11-29 2012-05-30
Physical type Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2560 x 1920 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 134 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 561 grams (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,700 $899