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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
86 Imaging
48 Features
43 Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL1s versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was brought out 4 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-PL1s matches up against the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax Q-S1

		

		

			
 E-PL1s Q-S1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PL1s

		

		

			
 Q-S1 E-PL1s 
RevealedAugust 2014November 2010Fresher by 45 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q-S1

		

		

			
 E-PL1s Q-S1 
Manually focus  Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Neither contains Touch friendly display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're intending to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s has got outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PL1s versus Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1s vs the Q-S1.
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and Q-S1 is 86 and 92 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
In many cases, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and Q-S1.
As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL1s has the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The older E-PL1s will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
	
			Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography information
60
 manual focus
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 features face detect focusing
 saves RAW files
 megapixel count low (12MP)
46
 you can focus manually
 offers face detect focus
 delivers RAW formats
 megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
 small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
74
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 screen does not articulate
69
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 delivers RAW formats
 lighter than others in class (203 grams)
 fixed screen
 small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
45
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 features tracking focus
 continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
 megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
 terrible battery (290 shots)
 no phase detect AF
37
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 offers tracking focus
 max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 small sensor (1/1.7")
 not so great battery life (250 per charge)
 no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
52
 has built in flash
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 terrible battery (290 CIPA)
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 display isn't selfie friendly
60
 lighter than others in class (203 grams)
 flash built-in
 not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography features
55
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 tiny screen (2.7 inches)
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 terrible battery (290 CIPA)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
55
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 delivers RAW formats
 megapixel count low (12MP)
 small sensor (1/1.7")
 not so great battery life (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
30
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 features face detect focusing
 display isn't selfie friendly
 low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
 does not have mic port
35
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 offers face detect focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 lighter than others in class (203g)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
 no mic support
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-11-16 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 250 pictures
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 recording    
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $599 $250