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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q 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
  • Announced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was manufactured 5 years later than the Q and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-M1 II grades vs the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax Q

 E-M1 II Q 
IntroducedSeptember 2016June 2011Fresher by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-M1 II

 Q E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax Q

 E-M1 II Q 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 II features physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II vs the Q.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and Q is 68 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and Q.

As you can see, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will show more detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
75
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch to focus
weather proof
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (180g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
72
lighter than average in class (574g)
weather proof
offers touch to focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
57
lighter than others (180g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q Landscape photography highlights
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (350 per charge)
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
lighter than average in class (574g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (180 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax Q
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax Q
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2011-06-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash settings 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, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/2000 seconds
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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 47
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.1
DXO Low light score 1312 189
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 D-LI68
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 Dual One
Retail cost $1,700 $695