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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q-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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 III
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
  • Introduced August 2014
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax Q-S1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was announced 2 years later than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-M1 II grades versus the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 II Q-S1 
IntroducedSeptember 2016August 2014Fresher by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 Q-S1 E-M1 II 

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

 E-M1 II Q-S1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

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

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II offers external 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) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II against the Q-S1.

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

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and Q-S1 is 68 and 92 respectively.

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

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

Typically, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The visual here will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and Q-S1.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 II will provide you with greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
46
you can focus manually
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than others in class (574 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (203g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
environment proof
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (350 shots)
60
lighter than competitors (203 grams)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (250 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography information
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
lighter than others in class (574 grams)
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (203g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax Q-S1
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2014-08-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 250 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 2 One
Retail pricing $1,700 $250