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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax W90, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and W90 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was brought out 3 months later than the W90 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-PL1 grades versus the W90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax W90

 E-PL1 W90 

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus E-PL1

 W90 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax W90

 E-PL1 W90 
IntroducedMay 2010February 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 has external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax W90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 and the W90.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and W90 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and W90.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1 features the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field easier.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography details
Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
27
focusing manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Pentax W90 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
54
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography advice
Pentax W90 Sports photography advice
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
24
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (290 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
64
weather proof
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax W90 Landscape photography advice
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
37
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
Pentax W90 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
25
decently wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax W90
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax Optio W90
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2010-05-17 2010-02-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $288 $120