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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
37 Features
54 Overall
43

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
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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
Photography Glossary
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