Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1
Portability
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Portability
92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44
92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
(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
- Announced September 2011
- Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Launched August 2014
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Below is a extensive review of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor size.
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Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PL3 grades versus the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Pentax Q-S1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax Q-S1
| E-PL3 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PL3
| Q-S1 | E-PL3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2014 |  | September 2011 | More recent by 34 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax Q-S1
| E-PL3 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial accurate focusing | ||
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 3" | Identical screen size |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 460k | Identical screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 has physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the E-PL3 against the Q-S1.
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and Q-S1 is 88 and 92 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and Q-S1.
As you can see, each of these cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 features the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh less difficult. The older E-PL3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
focusing manually
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (203g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lighter than others in class (203g)
built-in flash
low battery life (250 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
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Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax Q-S1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax Q-S1 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2011-09-20 | 2014-08-04 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Truepic VI | 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 area | 224.9mm² | 41.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| 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 | 35 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 8 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | 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 | 1/160 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) | 203 grams (0.45 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 52 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 499 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photos | 250 photos |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI68 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $399 | $250 |