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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P3 was brought out 4 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-P3 grades against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-P3 Q-S1 
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-P3

 Q-S1 E-P3 
RevealedAugust 2014August 2011More modern by 36 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-P3 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 has got exterior measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P3 against the Q-S1.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and Q-S1 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The image underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-P3 features the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh easier. The more aged E-P3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
46
manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus by touch
screen does not articulate
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (203g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography factors
60
offers focus by touch
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition (203 grams)
has built in flash
low battery (250 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
low battery (250 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (203g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no external mic port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax Q-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-08-17 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI 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 area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $250