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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was introduced 3 years after the MX-1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-M1 II grades against the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax MX-1

 E-M1 II MX-1 
RevealedSeptember 2016July 2013More modern by 40 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 MX-1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax MX-1

 E-M1 II MX-1 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II has outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II versus the MX-1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and MX-1 is 68 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The pic here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and MX-1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II having a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will give you extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
75
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
42
manual focus
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than others in class (574g)
great high ISO (25,600)
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
great battery pack (290 shots)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography information
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography information
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
weather sealing
supports focus via touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
61
great battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (391g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery (350 per charge)
55
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging factors
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging factors
79
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic support
lighter than others in class (574g)
33
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (391 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax MX-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax MX-1
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-09-19 2013-07-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lb) 391 grams (0.86 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 49
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 11.3
DXO Low light rating 1312 208
Other
Battery life 350 shots 290 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 1
Retail price $1,700 $400