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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-410
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-420 was launched 7 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-420 matches up against the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-420 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-420

 Q-S1 E-420 
RevealedAugust 2014June 2008More modern by 74 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-420 Q-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 features external dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-420 compared to the Q-S1.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and Q-S1 is 77 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-420 and Q-S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-420 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax Q-S1 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
56
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
46
manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography factors
64
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (426g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (500 shots)
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
52
lighter than competitors (426g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
has built in flash
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (203 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus E-420Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-420 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2008-06-23 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact 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 measurements 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 45 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 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 file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 shots 250 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $999 $250