Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q 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
- Revealed November 2010
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
(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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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.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Pentax Q. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Pentax Q Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2011 | November 2010 | More modern by 7 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q
| E-PL1s | Q | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Pentax 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 |