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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Announced October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • Replacement is Pentax K100D S
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and K100D (6MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K100D (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was announced 7 years after the K100D which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-M1 scores against the K100D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K100D

 E-M1 K100D 
IntroducedOctober 2013December 2006Newer by 85 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k210kCrisper display (+827k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus E-M1

 K100D E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K100D

 E-M1 K100D 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys physical measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 against the K100D.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and K100D is 71 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and K100D.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 using its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Olympus E-M1 will produce greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The younger E-M1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
51
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than competitors in class (497g)
good high ISO (25,600)
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography advice
Pentax K100D Sports photography advice
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (350 per charge)
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K100D Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
weather proofing
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
42
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (660g)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K100D Landscape photography advice
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery pack (350 CIPA)
52
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K100D Vlogging highlights
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (497g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax K100D
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax K100D
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-10-28 2006-12-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
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, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/320 seconds 1/180 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 497g (1.10 lbs) 660g (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures -
Form of battery 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $799 $0