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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is very well matched but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was revealed 2 years later than the K-S1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 II matches up against the K-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-S1

 E-M1 II K-S1 
LaunchedSeptember 2016August 2014More recent by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 K-S1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-S1

 E-M1 II K-S1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II offers outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the K-S1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and K-S1 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and K-S1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M1 II provides the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF more challenging. The more recent E-M1 II will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
75
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than competition (574g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (558g)
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
low battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
72
lighter than competition (574g)
weather sealing
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery (350 per charge)
60
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
terrible battery (350 per charge)
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (410 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
lighter than competition (574 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-09-19 2014-08-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1312 1061
Other
Battery life 350 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two One
Pricing at release $1,700 $339