Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
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69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Launched September 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
- Launched August 2014
- Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview
Here is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-S1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.
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The E-PL3 was manufactured 3 years before the K-S1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL3 scores against the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Pentax K-S1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Pentax K-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K-S1
E-PL3 | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-PL3
K-S1 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2014 | ![]() | September 2011 | Fresher by 35 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-S1
E-PL3 | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 has got physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL3 vs the K-S1.
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Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and K-S1 is 88 and 69 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The photograph here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and K-S1.
All in all, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will give extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older E-PL3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax K-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax K-S1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2011-09-20 | 2014-08-27 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic VI | Prime MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 5.4 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone 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 | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 313 gr (0.69 lb) | 558 gr (1.23 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 52 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | 1061 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 410 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $399 | $339 |