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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Released June 2016
  • Successor is Pentax KF
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-70 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 7 years before the K-70 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PL1 scores versus the K-70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-70

 E-PL1 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-70 E-PL1 
ReleasedJune 2016May 2010More recent by 73 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-70

 E-PL1 K-70 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 offers exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-70 has specifications of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 against the K-70.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and K-70 is 86 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and K-70.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-70 will offer more detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-70 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
Pentax K-70 Street photography information
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
71
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (102,400)
heavier than competition in class (688 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Pentax K-70 Sports photography info
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (290 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
bad battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-70 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery (290 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (688 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 shots)
no Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
environment proof
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Pentax K-70
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
heavier than competition in class (688g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-70
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-70
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-70
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-05-17 2016-06-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 688g (1.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $288 $649