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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Launched November 2010
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Updated by Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is very similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was launched 14 months later than the K-7 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL1s matches up vs the K-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax K-7

 E-PL1s K-7 
IntroducedNovember 2010October 2009More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 K-7 E-PL1s 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-7

 E-PL1s K-7 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the K-7.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and K-7 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and K-7.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-7 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer E-PL1s should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography factors
Pentax K-7 Sports photography factors
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery (290 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment sealing
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
Pentax K-7 Vlogging factors
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
25
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax K-7
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax K-7
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax K-7
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-11-16 2009-10-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lbs) 750 gr (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 980 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $599