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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K100D Super front
Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S 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
  • Introduced November 2003
  • Later Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
  • Announced June 2007
  • Succeeded the Pentax K100D
  • New Model is Pentax K200D
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K100D S, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-1 (5MP) and the K100D S (6MP) is pretty similar but the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K100D S (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the K100D S and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-1 grades vs the K100D S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax K100D S

 E-1 K100D S 

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Olympus E-1

 K100D S E-1 
AnnouncedJune 2007November 2003More recent by 43 months
Screen sizing2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution210k134kCrisper screen (+76k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K100D S

 E-1 K100D S 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 enjoys outer 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 K100D S has specifications of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K100D S in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-1 vs the K100D S.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and K100D S is 59 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and K100D S.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-1 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K100D S will offer greater detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K100D S Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (5MP)
51
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax K100D S
57
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (735g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Pentax K100D S
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (5 megapixels)
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-1
Travel photography with Pentax K100D S
47
lighter than average in class (735g)
weather sealing
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (5MP)
display is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (6MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D S
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
tiny screen (1.8")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
low MP (6MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Pentax K100D S
9
can't shoot video
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K100D S
 Olympus E-1Pentax K100D Super
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-1 Pentax K100D Super
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2003-11-29 2007-06-28
Body design Large SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 2560 x 1920 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8" 2.5"
Screen resolution 134k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $1,700 $520