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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(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)
  • 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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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

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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The E-PL3 was launched 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax Q-S1

		

		

			
 E-PL3 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PL3

		

		

			
 Q-S1 E-PL3 
LaunchedAugust 2014September 2011More 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 dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
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.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison
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 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
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 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
60
 you can focus manually
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 has face detect focus
 saves RAW formats
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
46
 focusing manually
 comes with face detection autofocus
 delivers RAW formats
 low resolution (12MP)
 small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
84
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW formats
69
 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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Sports Comparison
 Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
 Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
45
 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
37
 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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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
44
 lack of Time Lapse function
 not so great battery (300 per charge)
 low megapixels (12 megapixels)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
60
 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 Comparison
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
61
 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
55
 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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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
34
 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
35
 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
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Pentax 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