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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-PL1 grades versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-PL1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 Q-S1 E-PL1 
ReleasedAugust 2014May 2010Fresher by 51 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-PL1 Q-S1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 has got 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 Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 vs the Q-S1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and Q-S1 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 uses the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF simpler. The older E-PL1 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
46
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (203 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average (203g)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (250 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (203g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-05-17 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 250 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $288 $250