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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Launched July 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P2
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released March 2009
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-P1 versus Pentax P70, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the P70 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and P70 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The E-P1 was revealed 5 months later than the P70 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-P1 matches up against the P70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax P70

 E-P1 P70 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus E-P1

 P70 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax P70

 E-P1 P70 
ReleasedJuly 2009March 2009Same generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 has got outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Pentax P70 has proportions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P1 versus Pentax P70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P1 compared to the P70.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and P70 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and P70.

Clearly, the two cameras posses the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The E-P1 uses the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field simpler.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography info
Pentax P70 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography factors
Pentax P70 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography factors
Pentax P70 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
43
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (300 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
56
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (155 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography details
Pentax P70 Landscape photography details
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
32
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging factors
Pentax P70 Vlogging factors
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (155 grams)
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax P70
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax Optio P70
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-29 2009-03-02
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 gr (0.78 pounds) 155 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $182 $200