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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Successor is Olympus E-P2
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-P1 was manufactured 7 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-P1 matches up against the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax K-1

 E-P1 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-P1

 K-1 E-P1 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2009Fresher by 79 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-1

 E-P1 K-1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 has physical dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 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 vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-P1 vs the K-1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and K-1 is 86 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The visual underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and K-1.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-P1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will provide more detail due to its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
85
focusing manually
resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (4.4 fps)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
43
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
weather proofing
resolution is excellent (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging details
Pentax K-1 Vlogging details
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-07-29 2016-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 96
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 14.6
DXO Low light rating 536 3280
Other
Battery life 300 photos 760 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at release $182 $1,499