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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Announced October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 was announced 2 years later than the RS1500 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-M1 scores against the RS1500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax RS1500

 E-M1 RS1500 
ReleasedOctober 2013March 2011Fresher by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus E-M1

 RS1500 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax RS1500

 E-M1 RS1500 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 features exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 vs the RS1500.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and RS1500 is 71 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and RS1500.

All in all, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 will deliver more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer E-M1 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
35
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography factors
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery (350 CIPA)
37
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
environment proofing
boasts touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
67
environment proofing
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
low battery (350 per charge)
40
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
resolution is good (14MP)
environment proofing
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging info
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
25
quite wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-10-28 2011-03-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 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, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497g (1.10 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 260 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $799 $150