Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45


76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Pentax K-01. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Pentax K-01 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2012 | ![]() | May 2010 | More recent by 24 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-01
E-PL1 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax 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 |