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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Released July 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-P1 was released 6 years prior to the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-P1 scores versus the Q-S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-P1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-P1

 Q-S1 E-P1 
AnnouncedAugust 2014July 2009Newer by 61 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-P1 Q-S1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 comes with exterior 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 Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-P1 vs the Q-S1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and Q-S1 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and Q-S1.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-P1 has got the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The more aged E-P1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
46
has manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography info
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
43
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery (300 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery (250 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax Q-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-07-29 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 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
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $182 $250