Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(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
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
- New Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Released July 2013
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Pentax MX-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") have different sensor dimensions.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-PL1s was manufactured 3 years earlier than the MX-1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-PL1s grades against the MX-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Pentax MX-1. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax MX-1
| E-PL1s | MX-1 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus E-PL1s
| MX-1 | E-PL1s | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | July 2013 | November 2010 | More modern by 31 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 920k | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax MX-1
| E-PL1s | MX-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s provides external 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) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL1s versus Pentax MX-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the MX-1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and MX-1 is 86 and 84 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and MX-1.
As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL1s includes the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-PL1s is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Pentax MX-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Pentax MX-1 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2010-11-16 | 2013-07-01 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Truepic V | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/1.7" |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 41.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | - | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
| Highest aperture | - | f/1.8-2.5 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
| Number of lenses | 107 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD with AR coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | - |
| 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| 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 | 334g (0.74 pounds) | 391g (0.86 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | 49 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 208 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 pictures | 290 pictures |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-1 | D-Li-106 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $599 | $400 |