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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was brought out 13 months prior to the Q which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PL1 matches up against the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax Q

 E-PL1 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL1

 Q E-PL1 
ReleasedJune 2011May 2010More modern by 13 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax Q

 E-PL1 Q 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 has exterior 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 Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 versus the Q.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and Q is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and Q.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 uses the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Pentax Q Street photography features
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography information
Pentax Q Sports photography information
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery (290 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
Pentax Q Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low battery (290 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
Pentax Q Landscape photography features
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
Pentax Q Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax Q
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-05-17 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 11.1
DXO Low light score 487 189
Other
Battery life 290 images 230 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $288 $695