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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Released February 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-5
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax Q-S1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-3 was released 7 years prior to the Q-S1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-3 scores versus the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-3 Q-S1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-3

 Q-S1 E-3 
ReleasedAugust 2014February 2008More modern by 78 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-3 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 comes with outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-3 vs the Q-S1.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and Q-S1 is 56 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The image below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-3 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
46
manual focus
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-3
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
69
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
55
weather proofing
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
60
lighter than average (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
18
can't shoot video
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (203g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus E-3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2008-02-20 2014-08-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 45 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890g (1.96 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $670 $250