Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 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
- Announced May 2010
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
(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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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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Pentax K-7. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Pentax K-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-7
| E-PL1 | K-7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | May 2010 | October 2009 | More modern by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-PL1
| K-7 | E-PL1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-7
| E-PL1 | K-7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More precise focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Pentax 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 |