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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-r, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-r (12MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The E-1 was introduced 8 years prior to the K-r and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-1 scores versus the K-r when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-1 K-r 

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

 K-r E-1 
LaunchedMarch 2011November 2003Fresher by 88 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k134kSharper screen (+787k dot)

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

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 enjoys physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

See the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-1 versus the K-r.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and K-r is 59 and 67 respectively.

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and K-r.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-1 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-r will provide greater detail using its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older E-1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-r Portrait photography features
46
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
low megapixels (5MP)
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax K-r
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than others (735 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-r Travel photography info
47
lighter than others (735g)
environment proofing
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (5MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
47
has built in flash
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
9
no video
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-r
 Olympus E-1Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax K-r
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2003-11-29 2011-03-11
Physical type Large SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 134k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lbs) 598 grams (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $1,700 $1,100