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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-S1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is very well matched but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was launched 10 months before the K-S1 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 grades against the K-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-S1

 E-M1 K-S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-M1

 K-S1 E-M1 
IntroducedAugust 2014October 2013Fresher by 10 months

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-S1

 E-M1 K-S1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 offers physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 vs the K-S1.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and K-S1 is 71 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The graphic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and K-S1.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older E-M1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/320s)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
77
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than others (497 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (558g)
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography factors
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery (350 shots)
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others (497g)
weather proofing
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
not so great battery (350 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
60
lighter than average in class (558g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (410 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery (350 shots)
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (410 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic support
lighter than others (497g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (558g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax K-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax K-S1
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-10-28 2014-08-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497g (1.10 pounds) 558g (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 13.0
DXO Low light rating 757 1061
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 410 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $799 $339