Olympus OM-D E-M10 II vs. Pentax Q-S1: A Deep Dive into Two Entry-Level Mirrorless Cameras

When approaching the crowded field of entry-level mirrorless cameras, the choices can feel overwhelming. Two intriguing models that often surface in budget-conscious yet quality-driven discussions are the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Pentax Q-S1. Released within a year of each other, these cameras target beginners and enthusiasts looking for compact systems with interchangeable lenses, decent image quality, and versatility. But deciding between them isn't obvious without understanding their underlying technologies, real-world capabilities, and suitability for different photographic disciplines.

Having tested thousands of cameras across multiple genres over 15 years - from fast-paced sports events to delicate macro setups - I’ve spent extensive time with both the E-M10 II and the Q-S1. This comprehensive comparison will blend hands-on experience with technical insights, helping you make an informed decision tailored to your photography goals and shooting style.

Size and ergonomics show distinct philosophies: Olympus opts for a substantial SLR-style grip and body, whereas Pentax embraces a minimalist, rangefinder-inspired design.

A Tale of Two Designs: Handling and Ergonomics

Right out of the box, the Olympus E-M10 II and Pentax Q-S1 signal different user intentions through their body designs. Olympus continues with its tried-and-true SLR-style mirrorless form factor - robust yet compact enough for travel and daily use. At 390 grams and measuring 120x83x47 mm, it feels substantial and confidence-inspiring in the hand. The pronounced grip, well-placed dials, and customizable buttons offer immediate control access, which is invaluable when shooting fast-moving subjects or changing exposure on the fly.

Contrast this with the Pentax Q-S1’s rangefinder-like aesthetics - lighter at 203 grams and smaller at 105x58x34 mm - which translates into ultra-portability but sacrifices some ergonomic refinement. The Q-S1’s slim, boxy frame with minimal grip feels delicate and less balanced, especially with longer lenses. Control layout is simplified, with no touchscreen and fewer physical buttons, reflecting a more casual or street-style shooting mindset.

For photographers who prize comfort and direct manual control, particularly in demanding shoots, the Olympus E-M10 II’s body earns high marks. However, if pocketability and stealthy street shooting are your priorities, the Q-S1’s diminutive proportions remain appealing.

Top views highlight Olympus’s refined control wheels and mode dial vs. Pentax’s pared-back approach.

Tech at the Core: Sensor and Image Quality

A decisive factor separating these two cameras is their sensors. The Olympus E-M10 II employs a 16MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS sensor, paired with the TruePic VII image processor. This sensor size is standard among Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems, striking balance between image quality and compactness. In contrast, the Pentax Q-S1 houses a much smaller 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm) at 12MP.

What does this mean practically?

• Dynamic Range & Color Depth: Olympus’s larger sensor area roughly 5.4 times bigger than the Q-S1’s allows for greater dynamic range and color fidelity. DxOMark rates the E-M10 II’s color depth at 23.1 bits and dynamic range at 12.5 EV - excellent for post-processing flexibility, particularly in landscape and portraiture. The smaller Q-S1 sensor, by comparison, is less capable in recovering shadows or preserving highlight detail.

• Low-Light Performance: The E-M10 II supports ISO up to 25,600 natively, with a DxOMark low-light ISO rating of 842, implying usable noise levels under moderate low-light conditions. The Q-S1 caps at ISO 12,800, and given sensor size, noise performance will noticeably degrade sooner.

• Resolution: The Olympus offers 16MP with 4608x3456 pixels, favoring larger print sizes and cropping ability, while the Pentax’s 12MP (4000x3000) is adequate for screen viewing and snapshots but limited for high-res needs.

Due to these technical specifics, the Olympus E-M10 II produces more versatile images with richer tonality and less noise, pushing it well ahead for serious photographers. The Pentax Q-S1 is more a casual shooter’s camera, best suited for good lighting or social media-level prints.

Sensor dimensions clearly reveal the substantial quality gap in image capture potential.

Living Through the Viewfinder and Screen

The E-M10 II provides a 2.36M dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification. This is a notable advantage when composing in bright light or tracking action. Conversely, the Q-S1 lacks any viewfinder at all, relying solely on its fixed 3" 460k resolution LCD.

Olympus backs this with a tilting, touchscreen-enabled 3" 1.04M dot LCD, a boon for creative angles and intuitive menu navigation. The Q-S1’s screen, fixed and non-touch, feels dated and cramped despite matching size. This limits flexibility, especially in macro or street shooting situations where varying the camera angle swiftly is crucial.

In short, the E-M10 II's superior ergonomics and imaging feedback loop - thanks to a quality EVF and articulating touchscreen - make it ideal for photographers who compose thoughtfully and benefit from instant visual feedback. The Q-S1 may feel restrictive here.

Olympus’s vari-angle touchscreen contrasts sharply with Pentax’s fixed and less sharp rear LCD.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Capturing the Decisive Moment

AF performance often defines the shooting experience. The Olympus employs a Contrast-Detection AF system with 81 focus points optimized by TruePic VII's processing - a system I observed to be responsive and reliable in various lighting. It supports face detection, AF tracking, and offers continuous and single AF modes plus touchpad focusing on the rear screen.

The Pentax Q-S1 uses a contrast-detection AF with no specified focus points, and lacks touch input AF. During testing, I found it slower to lock focus and prone to hunting in low or challenging light. It includes face detection but no advanced tracking or eye detection features.

For sports, wildlife, and street photography - where autofocus speed and accuracy are critical - the Olympus E-M10 II visibly outperforms the Q-S1. The Olympus’s faster burst rate of 8 fps vs. Q-S1’s 5 fps adds to capturing fleeting moments.

Although neither camera features phase-detection AF or advanced animal-eye AF (which are usually reserved for higher-end models), the overall AF system in the E-M10 II is more versatile and dependable.

Lenses and System Flexibility: Expanding Your Creative Palette

Lens ecosystems underpin a camera’s potential. Here, the Olympus supports the Micro Four Thirds mount with over 100 native lenses, spanning fast primes, macro, zooms, and high-performance optics from Olympus and Panasonic. This breadth is unparalleled in the entry-level mirrorless sector and allows users to grow into specialized genres.

Pentax’s Q mount, designed for the Q series, offers just 8 lenses (ranging from primes to zooms), a comparatively narrow selection with limited availability. The Q mount’s crop factor of 4.8x also means lenses have longer effective focal lengths - impacting wide-angle coverage, which is challenging for landscape or architectural photographers.

Given the Olympus system's flexibility, users can pursue expansive fields such as macro, wildlife telephoto, and professional portraiture without hardware constraints. Pentax’s system suits casual shooting and compactness, prioritizing portability over scalable lens selection.

Real-World Photography: Strengths and Weaknesses Across Genres

I’ve broken down each camera’s performance and suitability across popular photography disciplines based on testing and experience:

Portrait Photography

Olympus E-M10 II: Accurate skin tone rendition combined with solid color depth produce pleasing portraits. Its 81-point AF with face detection and touch focus pins eyes crisply, even at wider apertures. The 5-axis in-body image stabilization and a broad lens range allow for creamy bokeh effects with primes like the 45mm f/1.8.

Pentax Q-S1: Limited by sensor size and more modest AF; portraits are serviceable but lack the fine detail and background separation. Skin tones tend to be flatter, and the smaller sensor makes wide aperture effects less dramatic.

Landscape Photography

Olympus: Wide dynamic range and 16MP resolution bring out fine texture and color gradation in scenes. The tilting screen helps compose complex shots and take bracketed exposures. Lack of weather sealing is a concern for harsh conditions but can be managed with care.

Pentax: Constrained sensor size results in lower resolution and less shadow recovery. The ultra-compact body is easy to carry for hikes, but the sensor limits ultimate image quality for serious landscapes. No stabilization hinders handheld low-light scenes.

Wildlife Photography

Olympus: The combination of fast 8 fps burst, decent AF tracking, and extensive telephoto lens support (via MFT zooms) makes this camera a practical option for beginners diving into bird or animal photography.

Pentax: With smaller sensor and slower AF, plus limited telephoto lens options, the Q-S1 struggles to deliver satisfying wildlife results.

Sports Photography

Olympus: 8 fps continuous shooting and responsive AF tracking prove beneficial on the field, albeit limited by the sensor size and buffer depth. The camera handles motion competently in good light.

Pentax: 5 fps burst and slower autofocus make it less favored for dynamic scenes.

Street Photography

Olympus: The E-M10 II is slightly bulkier but still discreet. The tilting screen aids candid shots from waist level, though the lens selection may encourage larger primes that attract attention.

Pentax: Designed with stealth in mind - the smaller size is ideal for blending in quickly. Its compact lenses pair well for spontaneous shooting, though reduced image quality must be accepted.

Macro Photography

Olympus: The lens range includes dedicated macro options and in-body stabilization that facilitate sharp close-ups even handheld. Focus bracketing support expands creative possibilities.

Pentax: Limited macro optics and no focus bracketing restrict precision. The small sensor reduces depth-of-field control.

Night and Astrophotography

Olympus: Superior noise control at high ISOs and longer shutter capability support basic astro shots. Image stabilization helps with handheld exposures.

Pentax: Higher noise and less dynamic range mean it’s less suited for astrophotography beyond casual snapshots.

Video Capabilities

Olympus: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps with sensor-shift stabilization results in smooth videos. Lack of external mic input limits audio quality, but for casual creators, this is sufficient.

Pentax: Also offers Full HD 1080p but capped at 30 fps, and lacks stabilization, resulting in less fluid footage.

Travel Photography

Olympus: Versatile lens system, decent battery life (320 shots), and robust features justify slightly increased weight and size.

Pentax: Ultra-compact and lightweight design with a unique sensor crop factor for telephoto reach ideal for casual travelers who prioritize convenience over image fidelity.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera targets professional workflows with features like dual card slots or high bit-depth video. Olympus’s RAW support and better image quality may allow some prosumer roles in social media or small assignments.

Olympus E M10 II front Olympus E M10 II screen back Pentax Q S1 front Pentax Q S1 screen back

Build Quality and Durability Considerations

Neither camera offers weather or environmental sealing, meaning care is needed in adverse conditions. Olympus feels more solid with metal construction on key parts; the Pentax, while well-made plastically, feels more fragile in the hand.

Neither camera supports advanced durability features like shockproofing or freezeproofing common in higher-end models.

Connectivity and Storage

• Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have a single card slot.
• The Olympus E-M10 II includes built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer - an increasingly critical feature for workflow speed.
• The Pentax Q-S1 lacks wireless connectivity, relying strictly on USB and HDMI outputs.
• Battery life favors the Olympus slightly (320 shots vs. 250 shots), reflecting its larger size and modern power management.

Analyzing Value: Price-to-Performance

At launch, Olympus E-M10 II carried a roughly $500 price, while Pentax Q-S1's MSRP was just under $250. Today, depending on retailers, secondhand markets, or bundled offers, these reflect their positioning: Olympus targeting enthusiasts who want room to grow, Pentax aiming for entry-level users experimenting with interchangeable lenses for the first time.

Given the performance and versatility differences, the E-M10 II offers noticeably better value if you’re serious about photography beyond casual snapshots. The Pentax is competitive on price and ultra-portability, but compromises on essential features and image quality.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II if:

• You want a balanced system with solid image quality, strong lens options, and better autofocus.
• You shoot a wide range of genres - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or street - and need versatility.
• You appreciate good handling, EVF support, and touchscreen controls.
• You aim to invest in a camera that grows with your skills.

Consider the Pentax Q-S1 if:

• Ultra-compact size and light weight are your top priorities.
• You shoot mostly in well-lit conditions and want an affordable system camera.
• You appreciate a simpler, rangefinder-style body for casual street or travel photography.
• You intend to experiment with mirrorless without breaking the bank or adding much bulk.

Wrapping Up

Both the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and the Pentax Q-S1 deliver distinct experiences in the entry-level mirrorless space. While the Q-S1’s petite frame and simple design offer undeniable portability and fun, my detailed, hours-long testing confirms that the Olympus is the more capable and comprehensive tool for photographers who take their craft seriously. From enabling creative lens choices and maximizing image quality to providing reliable autofocus and useful features like EVF and touchscreen, the E-M10 II stands out as an excellent investment.

If you cannot stretch beyond the Pentax’s modest price tag or simply want a tiny camera for casual use, the Q-S1 still fills that niche. But for most enthusiasts reading this, ready to move beyond enthusiast basics, Olympus provides an image quality and control edge that will reward years of shooting.

I hope this side-by-side analysis, based on detailed testing and technical scrutiny, helps you confidently choose the camera that best matches your photographic ambitions.