Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
![Olympus PEN E-P1 front Olympus PEN E-P1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-P1/Olympus-E-P1-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio VS20 front Pentax Optio VS20 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-VS20/Pentax-VS20-front.jpg)
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(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
- Successor is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
- 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
- Launched January 2012
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and VS20 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The E-P1 was unveiled 3 years before the VS20 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-P1 scores vs the VS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Pentax Optio VS20. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax VS20
E-P1 | VS20 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus E-P1
VS20 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | Fresher by 30 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax VS20
E-P1 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 has external 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 VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
See the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P1 versus the VS20.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and VS20 is 86 and 90 respectively.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and VS20.
As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-P1 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax VS20 will offer greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The older E-P1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
![Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-P1-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-07-29 | 2012-01-25 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
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 | 11 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 3cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 355g (0.78 pounds) | 235g (0.52 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $182 | $106 |