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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was released 5 months later than the K-x so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL1 grades versus the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-PL1 K-x 

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

 K-x E-PL1 

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

 E-PL1 K-x 
LaunchedMay 2010December 2009Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 features external dimensions 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-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1 vs the K-x.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and K-x is 86 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and K-x.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1 provides the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging.

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

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

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Pentax K-x Street photography info
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
54
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
small screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-x
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-05-17 2009-12-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 16.00 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 580g (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.5
DXO Low light rating 487 811
Other
Battery life 290 images 1900 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $288 $600