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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 24 months prior to the K-01 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PL1 scores versus the K-01 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-01

 E-PL1 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-01 E-PL1 
RevealedMay 2012May 2010More recent by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-01

 E-PL1 K-01 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 features external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-01 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL1 versus the K-01.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and K-01 is 86 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specifications. The visual here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and K-01.

Plainly, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-01 will result in extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Pentax K-01 Street photography info
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
heavier than others (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-01 Sports photography features
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 shots)
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (540 per charge)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than others (561g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography advice
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
heavier than others (561 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-01
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-05-17 2012-05-30
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum 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 334g (0.74 lb) 561g (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.9
DXO Low light rating 487 1135
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 540 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $288 $899