Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
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93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Key Specs
(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
- Announced October 2013
- Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Launched June 2011
- Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Overview
In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax Q, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.
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The E-M1 was released 2 years later than the Q and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 matches up versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax Q. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax Q
E-M1 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | June 2011 | Fresher by 29 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+577k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-M1
Q | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax Q
E-M1 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 provides outer dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 compared to the Q.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and Q is 71 and 93 respectively.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and Q.
As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M1 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax Q | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax Q |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-10-28 | 2011-06-23 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePIC VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
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 focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
Number of lenses | 107 | 8 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
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, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/320 secs | 1/2000 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 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | 497 gr (1.10 lb) | 180 gr (0.40 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 47 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 189 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 230 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | D-LI68 |
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 | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $799 | $695 |