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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Later Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax MX-1, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor measurements.

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The E-1 was manufactured 10 years prior to the MX-1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-1 matches up against the MX-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax MX-1

 E-1 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus E-1

 MX-1 E-1 
IntroducedJuly 2013November 2003More recent by 116 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution920k134kCrisper screen (+786k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax MX-1

 E-1 MX-1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-1 features physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-1 and the MX-1.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and MX-1 is 59 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and MX-1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Pentax MX-1 will give you more detail due to its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older E-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (5 megapixels)
42
focusing manually
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography details
Pentax MX-1 Street photography details
57
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (735g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (290 shots)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography advice
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
environment proofing
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (5 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
61
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (391 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Pentax MX-1
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen is small (1.8")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging details
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
33
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors (391g)
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus E-1Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax MX-1
Class Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2003-11-29 2013-07-01
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 2560 x 1920 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 1.8" 3"
Display resolution 134k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 735g (1.62 lbs) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
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/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $1,700 $400