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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-1
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-1 II, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the K-1 II which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL1 scores against the K-1 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-1 II

 E-PL1 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-1 II E-PL1 
LaunchedFebruary 2018May 2010Newer by 94 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-1 II

 E-PL1 K-1 II 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-1 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 against the K-1 II.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and K-1 II is 86 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The image here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and K-1 II.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-1 II will offer you more detail having an extra 24MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
86
manual focus
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Street photography highlights
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (819,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (670 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
53
environment proof
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1 II
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-05-17 2018-02-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 3200 819200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s 1/200s
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots 670 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at launch $288 $1,737