Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
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69 Imaging
51 Features
47 Overall
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Launched October 2013
- Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Released December 2009
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On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-x, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-M1 was unveiled 3 years after the K-x which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 scores vs the K-x with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Pentax K-x. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-x
| E-M1 | K-x | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | October 2013 | December 2009 | Newer by 47 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 230k | Sharper display (+807k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus E-M1
| K-x | E-M1 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-x
| E-M1 | K-x | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very precise focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the K-x.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and K-x is 71 and 69 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and K-x.
As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-M1 will resolve extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The newer E-M1 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-x | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-x |
| Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2013-10-28 | 2009-12-23 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePIC VII | Prime |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
| Max boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 81 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 96% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.57x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 16.00 m |
| 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 Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest 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) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 grams (1.10 lbs) | 580 grams (1.28 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 73 | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 22.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 12.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | 757 | 811 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 pictures | 1900 pictures |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLN-1 | 4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Cost at launch | $799 | $600 |