Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
71


92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
- Revealed October 2019
- Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
- Successor is OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Launched August 2014

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax Q-S1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizing.

The E-M5 III was launched 5 years later than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-M5 III scores against the Q-S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III and Pentax Q-S1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery and Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Pentax Q-S1
E-M5 III | Q-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2019 | ![]() | August 2014 | More recent by 64 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-M5 III
Q-S1 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax Q-S1
E-M5 III | Q-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III provides physical measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-M5 III and Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the Q-S1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and Q-S1 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The visual here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 III and Q-S1.
As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M5 III because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-M5 III will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Pentax Q-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Pentax Q-S1 |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2019-10-17 | 2014-08-04 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VIII | Q Engine |
Sensor type | MOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.4 x 13mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 226.2mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 121 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
Available lenses | 107 | 8 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 30.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) |
Max video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 | 414g (0.91 lb) | 203g (0.45 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 photos | 250 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $1,199 | $250 |