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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
54
Imaging
62
Features
93
Overall
74
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-S1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M1X (20MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty similar but the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1X was launched 4 years later than the K-S1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M1X matches up vs the K-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Pentax K-S1

 E-M1X K-S1 
LaunchedJanuary 2019August 2014More recent by 54 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-M1X

 K-S1 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-S1

 E-M1X K-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1X offers exterior dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1X versus the K-S1.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and K-S1 is 54 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1X and K-S1.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-M1X has got the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The more recent E-M1X provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
78
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography info
Pentax K-S1 Street photography info
67
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
heavier than average in class (997 grams)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (558 grams)
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography info
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography info
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (870 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
low fps (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
68
good battery life (870 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (997g)
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography advice
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
good battery life (870 per charge)
two card slots
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging features
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging features
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic socket
heavier than average in class (997g)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XPentax K-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Pentax K-S1
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2019-01-24 2014-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997g (2.20 lbs) 558g (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 870 photos 410 photos
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Retail pricing $2,999 $339