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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was manufactured 6 years earlier than the K-1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PL1s matches up against the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax K-1

 E-PL1s K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 K-1 E-PL1s 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016November 2010Fresher by 63 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-1

 E-PL1s K-1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s provides external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the K-1.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and K-1 is 86 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specs. The photograph below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and K-1.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will offer more detail due to its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
85
has manual focus
resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low battery life (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
weather sealing
resolution is fantastic (36MP)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (290 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-11-16 2016-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 290 photos 760 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at release $599 $1,499