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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax XG-1, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and XG-1 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and XG-1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-1 was revealed 11 years prior to the XG-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-1 matches up vs the XG-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-1 XG-1 

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

 XG-1 E-1 
RevealedJuly 2014November 2003Fresher by 129 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kCrisper screen (+326k dot)

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

 E-1 XG-1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 offers outside 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) while the Pentax XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax XG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-1 and the XG-1.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and XG-1 is 59 and 66 respectively.

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

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and XG-1.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-1 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax XG-1 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution (5 megapixels)
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (735 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography features
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography features
47
lighter than competitors in class (735 grams)
environment proofing
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution (5 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
52
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
more heavy than competitors (567 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography factors
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (5MP)
lack of Timelapse function
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
25
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (567 grams)
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus E-1Pentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax XG-1
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2003-11-29 2014-07-15
Physical type Large SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8" 3"
Screen resolution 134 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 567 gr (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $1,700 $599