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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was revealed 18 months later than the K-01 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-M1 matches up vs the K-01 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-01

 E-M1 K-01 
AnnouncedOctober 2013May 2012Fresher by 18 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-M1

 K-01 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-01

 E-M1 K-01 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 provides exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Pentax K-01 has measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 versus the K-01.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and K-01 is 71 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The graphic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and K-01.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier. The fresher E-M1 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography details
71
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/320 seconds)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Pentax K-01
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
lighter than average (497g)
great ISO range (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
more heavy than competition (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1
Sports photography with Pentax K-01
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
slow fps (6.0 fps)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
65
lighter than average (497g)
weather proof
comes with focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
more heavy than competition (561g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (350 shots)
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
36
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
lighter than average (497g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (561g)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax K-01
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-10-28 2012-05-30
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 81
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash Auto, 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-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 pounds) 561 gr (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.9
DXO Low light rating 757 1135
Other
Battery life 350 images 540 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $799 $899