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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Launched November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax Q, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-1 was revealed 8 years earlier than the Q which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-1 matches up vs the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax Q

 E-1 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-1

 Q E-1 
LaunchedJune 2011November 2003More modern by 92 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kSharper screen (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax Q

 E-1 Q 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 comes with outside measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax Q in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-1 vs the Q.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and Q is 59 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and Q.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-1 with its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax Q will give you greater detail because of its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (5MP)
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax Q
57
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lighter than others in class (735 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
47
lighter than others in class (735g)
weather proof
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (5MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
57
lighter than others (180 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
9
no video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax Q
 Olympus E-1Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax Q
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2003-11-29 2011-06-23
Body design Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 45 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 134k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,700 $695