Clicky

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Announced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 III was announced 8 years after the Q which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the E-M1 III grades vs the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

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

 E-M1 III Q 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020June 2011Newer by 106 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 Q E-M1 III 

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

 E-M1 III Q 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III features physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III and the Q.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and Q is 67 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and Q.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 III will produce more detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (180g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography information
Pentax Q Travel photography information
79
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (180g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax Q
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax Q
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2020-02-11 2011-06-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor 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
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 25
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes 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
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lb) 180g (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 420 photos 230 photos
Battery type 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 shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Retail price $1,800 $695