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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Announced May 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Successor is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax K-7, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 8 months after the K-7 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-7

 E-PL1 K-7 
LaunchedMay 2010October 2009More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-7 E-PL1 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-7

 E-PL1 K-7 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 provides physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax K-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 versus the K-7.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and K-7 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and K-7.

All in all, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-7 will provide greater detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The newer E-PL1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
72
manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Pentax K-7 Street photography features
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
64
environment proofing
good MP (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography info
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-7
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-05-17 2009-10-02
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 3200 2000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 750 grams (1.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 61
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 10.6
DXO Low light rating 487 536
Other
Battery life 290 images 980 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $288 $599