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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q 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
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Refreshed by Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was manufactured 7 months before the Q which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PL1s scores vs the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax Q

 E-PL1s Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL1s

 Q E-PL1s 
LaunchedJune 2011November 2010More modern by 7 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q

 E-PL1s Q 
Manual focus Dial precise 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 Q Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s has external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1s vs the Q.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and Q is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The picture underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and Q.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL1s uses the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field simpler. The more aged E-PL1s will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
45
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than others (180g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
low battery (230 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography information
Pentax Q Landscape photography information
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-11-16 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
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
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
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 Pentax Q
Total lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 290 photos 230 photos
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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $599 $695