Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x
86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44


69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Introduced July 2009
- Renewed by Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Launched December 2009

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Overview
Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-x, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

The E-P1 was unveiled 4 months prior to the K-x so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-P1 scores against the K-x in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Pentax K-x. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax K-x
E-P1 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus E-P1
K-x | E-P1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-x
E-P1 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2009 | ![]() | December 2009 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 has got outside dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
See the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax K-x in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-P1 and the K-x.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and K-x is 86 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and K-x.
To sum up, both of these cameras have the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-P1 uses the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF more difficult.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Pentax K-x | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Pentax K-x |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2009-07-29 | 2009-12-23 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V | Prime |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4288 x 2848 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 96 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 16.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 355 gr (0.78 lb) | 580 gr (1.28 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 55 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light score | 536 | 811 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | 1900 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-1 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $182 | $600 |